The hospice nurse threw a knowing glance in our direction and, with a surprising boldness, declared, “Although Ro is a sweetpea, this lady won’t be leaving without a serious fight.” Indeed, this woman had truly come to understand Rolene Rostie.
But despite her renowned tenacity, Rolene passed peacefully with her sons at her side at Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, Minnesota. She died on March 27, 2022 from complications due to Alzheimer’s.
Rolene was born on May 22, 1942 to Jack and Mim Calvert in Rainy River, Ontario. She spent her earliest years living on nearby Cedar Island on Lake of the Woods where her parents ran a tourist camp. With good memories and a wealth of hospitality experience under their belt, the family shed island life for the hustle and bustle of Rainy River, Ontario. There she danced and played piano and wrestled good grades to the ground earning her a spot as a college freshman at the University of North Dakota.
Within several years she had married Forrest Horn and moved to Schaumburg, Illinois where where they started a family: two sons, Jody and Troy, and one ill-named poodle (Rolene’s Frosty Mist…aka Pinkie). Not one to settle when needed – In 1975, she loaded up her legendary white Chevy Camaro and left to start a new chapter for herself and her two boys in International Falls, Minnesota.
She became a night club owner. A wife to Duncan Rostie. Side-hustled as a devoted hockey Mom who never accepted anything less than a best effort. And eventually became an inn-keeper. Rolene was a reluctant golfer (her favorite hole was #19). And an even more reluctant fisherwoman. (More of a Rainy Lake aficionado, really.) For a time she was also a South Dakotan. Then, intermittently, a fair-weather Floridian. But her heart was always in International Falls, Minnesota, laughing and making mischief with a band of strong women whose friendship stood the test of husbands, children, and time.
Rolo was a sweatpea. And a fighter.
She is survived by her two sons: Troy and his wife, Krystal and his son Cooper of Stewartville, Minnesota. Jody, and his wife, Dawn and their children Finn and Ella Rose of Berkeley, California. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Sharleen Anderson of River Falls, Wisconsin and her children Alex and Andrea. Michael Rostie of Rochester, Minnesota and his son Dillon Rostie. She is also survived by her brother: Dan Calvert and his wife Val and their son, Hunter of Fort Frances, Ontario.
She was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Mildred Calvert, and husband, Duncan Rostie.
The family is planning a small celebration of Rolene’s life on Rainy Lake in the summer as Covid permits.
Memorial donations are welcomed for the Memory Care Unit at Cottagewood Senior Community Center and the bright, compassionate women who bring light and love to those who struggle with this dark, threatening, disease. Memorials can be sent to Cottagewood Senior Communities Memory Care at 3220 55th Street NW, Rochester, MN, 55901.
Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen.com
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
