Rose M. Moerke

Rose Marie Moerke of Hecla, SD passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Oakes Good Samaritan Society.  

Rose Marie was born to Henry and Henriette (Stolle) Elsen on May 28, 1926 on the family farm near Hecla, SD.  She attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Hecla High School.  She worked as a schoolteacher for four years. Rose taught piano, organ and accordion to several students in the area.  She was also church substitute organist for many years.  She worked at various jobs in Hecla, SD including the Bowling Alley, Frohlings Jack & Jill, Lahman Mfg and her longest employment was at the bar in Hecla, which for a while was called Rosie’s Bar.  She retired from that job at 87 years of age, due to health issues.

She married Willard Moerke on November 28, 1946 at St John’s Lutheran Church in Hecla, SD.  Willard passed away on September 8, 1991.

Rose is survived by daughters Diane (Jim) Henningsen, Sharon (Fred) Meyer; grandchildren Chad Henningsen (JoDel Henningsen), Waylon (Darcy) Henningsen, Jeremy Meyer; great grandchildren Josie (Tristan) Lippert, Jada Henningsen, Carson Henningsen, Colton Henningsen and Carter Henningsen; siblings Lola Martinson, Donnley Elsen, Helen McBeain; brother-in-law Bob Moerke; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were husband Willard Moerke, parents Henry and Henrietta Elsen; brothers Willard, Gilbert and John Elsen, brother-in-law Melvin Martinson, sisters-in-law Jackie, Darlene and Beverly Elsen; niece Twyla Elsen; nephews Dale Elsen, Dean Elsen and Devin Elsen; father and mother-in-law John and Sadie Moerke, brothers and sisters-in-law Lloyd and Louise Moerke, Don and Dora Moerke, Jack and Stella Moerke, Clyde Moerke, Darwin and Adeline Moerke, Margaret and Melvin Smith and Alice Symens.

‍