Rosie Black

UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION

Due to impending weather concerns, the memorial service has been changed to Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11:00 in Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks.  

Rosie Black, generous, passionate and eternally positive child of God, died of natural causes Jan. 1 at Essentia Health in Fosston, Minnesota at the age of 65. 

She was born Jan. 23, 1954 and was raised in Springfield, Ohio, the only child of Suzanne Kime. 

Rosie and her high school sweetheart Ted Black, were married 49 years ago at the Campbell County Tennessee courthouse on October 9, 1970.

The young couple moved to Texas for Ted’s U.S. Air Force training then to North Dakota in January 1972 after Ted was stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. They eventually chose to stay in Grand Forks after Ted’s service because they fell in love with the people and the community. 

Rosie got involved in a Republican Party organizing committee and was recruited to run for office in 1978, representing District 17, when she was just 22 years old. She spent three terms in the North Dakota Legislature, representing District 43 for two terms. She was instrumental in developing laws mandating all North Dakota students have access to kindergarten, requiring equal rights policies for women and developing initiatives to fight poverty. She retired from politics in 1984 to spend more time with her family. 

Rosie was well known throughout the region from her 25 years working as a rural benefits consultant for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Dakota. Throughout her career, she especially enjoyed the relationships with customers and co-workers. Before entering the insurance industry, Rosie worked at Hansen Ford in Grand Forks as a vehicle salesperson and assistant bodyshop manager and at Warner Lambert, selling over-the-counter health products.

Rosie believed in giving back to the community through her volunteer work. She served as a member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Dakota Board of Directors, the North Dakota Legislative Compensation Commission and the Red River Valley Community Action Agency, formerly known as Quad County.

Rosie and Ted had five children — Angela, Sam, Wyatt, Kirby and Isaac — and were very active parents, seeing all five through Red River High School and providing endless opportunities and encouragement for personal development through sports and performing arts. They both loved to go camping and fishing with family at lakes in the region and to take family trips to warm destinations. 

Rosie was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks for more than four decades where she was active in the Senior Choir and volunteered to prepare and serve food at funerals.

The love of her life, Ted Black, died in 2010 from ALS. She later found great joy in lake life during summers at Island Lake, near Lengby, Minnesota. She recently chose to make her “winter home” in Fosston.

Rosie is survived by her mother, Suzanne Kime, of Grand Forks, children Angela Black (Korey) Erickson, Grand Forks; Wyatt Black, Fridley, Minnesota; Samuel (Christina) Black, Minnetonka, Minnesota; Kirby (Jacob) Vossler, Fosston; Isaac (Carly) Black, East Grand Forks, Minnesota; and grandchildren Ruby and Roselyn Erickson; James Black; Levi, Ezra, Roman and Ivy Black; and Kellen, Malachi and Idella Vossler. As a grandparent, she shared her zest for the outdoors and for hosting large holiday celebrations that will be passed on for generations. She’s also survived by special friends Harold and Lynn Cullom and their children; and by Francie, her dog and loyal companion. 

In addition to her husband, Rosie was preceded in death by a daughter, Ginger, who died shortly after birth, and her beloved grandparents, Ruth and Lawrence VanBuskirk. 

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 9th St. S, Grand Forks. The family will hold a private interment of ashes at a later date. 

To honor Rosie you are invited to contribute your time and treasure to Red River Valley Community Action Agency https://rrvca.com/donate/ or to any cause that supports protecting forests and lakes. Condolences may be sent to the family at 618 Terrace Dr., Grand Forks, N.D. 58201.