Rose M. Ranz, 97, Fertile, MN, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023 at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile. 
Rose was born on May 5, 1926 to Melvin and Isabelle Perkins. As a child, she lived on her family’s farm with her many brothers and sisters. She loved to follow her dad’s plow, running her feet through the freshly turned soil. In 1941, she graduated from Ottertail County School in Minnesota after eighth grade. Rose’s lifelong love of helping and caring for others became a reality when she got her first job working as a hotel clerk in Wadena, MN. Her time at the hotel was short, however, as the American involvement in World War II forced her to return home. It was during the war that a childhood friendship began to bloom into something more.
Rose began writing letters to her longtime friend, Edgar Wright, during World War II. While his letters told of life abroad, hers told a simpler story of life on the farm. Through these letters the two grew closer, and when he returned home, Rose and Edgar were finally together again. They were married on December 1, 1945. Together, they raised seven children in a big house filled with love and mischief. When Edgar died in 1961, Rose purchased a farm in Fertile where could raise her seven kids, then ranging in age from four to 16. She taught her kids to care for the gardens, chickens, home, and each other, and always knew how to make each one of them feel special and remembered.
In 1969, Rose married Harold Ranz, though her children remained the focal point of her life as they began to start their own lives and families. When the youngest of her children graduated from high school in 1975, she moved to Lake City, MN to care for her ailing Uncle Jack. Rose found a job in Lake City at The Galley restaurant. She loved the work that she did there and met many wonderful friends both in the kitchen and the dining room as well. Her time in Lake City proved to be a refocusing of the family, as her children would often bring their own children to visit and stay with “Grandma Rosie.”
In 1998, after the passing of her uncle, Rose moved to Gully, MN. Her gardens were filled with flowers and hummingbirds – a sight everyone came to expect when they visited. And while her home was small, it was filled with her same amazing ability to make everyone who entered feel special. She showed her love through her cooking and would always remember her family’s individual preferences. Her chicken noodle soup was a staple of hunting season, her homemade donuts were renowned, and she made sure to make a batch of potato salad without eggs or without onion for anyone who requested it.
Rose made incredible lefse, crazy cake, potato pancakes, and a host of other delights, but her creativity didn’t stop there. She made beautiful quilts – one for every grandchild – and was an avid canner as well. She was a great and regular card player and always knew where her 300-card Hand and Foot deck was hiding. Rose loved visiting the Polk County Fair and would do laps around the fairgrounds with her family, stopping to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl and Scrambler. When she ran out of ride tickets, you could find her peeling potatoes at the Concordia Lutheran Church food stand or snacking on burger.
Rose Ranz was so much to so many. A mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, wife, friend, and sister. Throughout her life she had her share of hardships but an abundant share of joy as well. Rose will be dearly and fondly remembered by all and missed for the rest of our lives.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin & Isabelle Perkins; her siblings, Maryetta Shamp, Delores Rose, Adeline Shamp, and Elmer Perkins; her first husband Edgar Wright, and second husband Harold Ranz; and her son, Robert (Bob)Wright.
She is survived by her children, Joyce Rhode, Elvin (Bucky) Wright (Joyce), Linda Sanders (Rick), Susan (Susie) Balstad (Vance), Pearl Freude (Paul), and Errol Wright; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: One hour before the memorial service at church.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home of Fertile, Minnesota
