Rosa Manderfeld

Rosa Lee Manderfeld

Rosa (Rose, Rosie) of Cloquet, Minnesota passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

She was born on February 2, 1942, to George and Senja (Ylikoski) Ahlgren, the middle child of seven siblings and twin sister to brother Ronnie.

Rosie grew up on a small farm in Cloquet and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1960. She graduated from nursing school and worked as an LPN for 42 years at Cloquet Memorial Hospital. She started in the birthing unit and was also a nurse in the Emergency Room. She spent the majority of her nursing career in the nursing home caring for the elderly. Her compassion for making others comfortable was her joy. She retired in 2004.

Rosie married the love of her life, Jerome (Jerry) Manderfeld on February 16, 1963, and together they had two children, Elizabeth and David. Rose and Jerry were married for  46 years until Jerry's death in 2009.

Rosie was an avid walker and golfer. She was known in her Scanlon/Cloquet neighborhood by all, as she would walk several miles every day greeting neighbors. She was so proud to have completed the Grandma's Marathon in 1992.

Rosie was loved by all and enjoyed her family and friends. She was a wonderful mother and a great friend. 

Rosie is preceded in death by her parents, George and Senja Ahlgren, loving husband Jerome (Jerry) Manderfeld, as well as brothers George (Elaine), Arnold (Kathy), Ronald (Kathy, deceased), Gordon (Linda Kewith) , Bruce (Marla) Ahlgren, and sister Arlene Anderson (Dennis, deceased).

She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Haidar) Fakhoury, son David (Dawn) Manderfeld, grandchildren Jeries (Shannon) Fakhoury, Joseph Fakhoury, Logan Manderfeld (Rita Kuzo), and Kiera Manderfeld, and great grandson Micah as well as many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A heartfelt thank you to all who touched Rosie's heart. 

A celebration of Rosie's life will follow at a later date.

The family requests that those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Ahlgren Education Fund at https://www.cloquetedfundation.org or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org/more.