Celia Ouse

Celia G. Ouse 102, a resident of the Pioneer Retirement Community, died Saturday June 14, 2008 at Pioneer. Celia Gertrude Morris was born on October 10, 1905 to J. Frank and Amanda (Matson) Morris in Whittemore, IA. She had a sister and two brothers. In February of 1921, the family moved to Minnesota and bought a farm west of Rothsay. On November 9, 1925, Celia married Melvin Ouse at the Methodist Parsonage in Breckenridge. The couple lived and farmed on his parents farm and cared for his parents until their deaths. Melvin and Celia had five children: Lloyd, Clifford, Betty, Marjorie and Ralph. She had a busy life on the farm. In addition to cooking and cleaning for the family, they usually had two or three hired men for the farm work. She typically had a hired girl to assist with the housework and child care. The farm had no electricity until 1948 and no indoor plumbing. Water was hauled in and out by hand. Melvin & Celia moved to Rothsay in 1950. She supplied hot lunches to grandchildren and was the “after-school day care” for many years. She enjoyed hand work like embroidery, crocheting and even tatting. She liked to stay home and always enjoyed visits from family. She was a member of Hamar Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aide. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. In 1975, the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary. Ten years later, they celebrated their 60th anniversary on the home farm. Melvin died in 1989 and Celia entered the nursing home in August of 1994.  Preceding her in death were her husband; two grandchildren, Todd Ouse and Vanessa Grindberg; a daughter-in-law, Darlene Ouse; a son-in-law, Wayne Froslie; two brothers and one sister. Survivors include two daughters, Betty Froslie of Moorhead and Marjorie (Bud) Halbakken of Rothsay; three sons, Lloyd (Gladys) Ouse of Rothsay, Clifford of Richville and Ralph (Roberta) Ouse of Rothsay; 16 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law Bernice Morris of Fergus Falls.  Visitation:  5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grina Funeral Home in Rothsay with a public prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service:  2 p.m. Thursday at New Life Lutheran Church-Hamar Building. Clergy:   Reverend Paul Huso and Chaplain Harry Olson Burial:  Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay Arrangements:  Grina Funeral Home, Rothsay