Laurene Rogotzke

Laurene Bernice Larson was born March 5, 1913, to Gissur and Sina (Bredvold) Larson in Redwood County. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Springfield. Laurene graduated from Sanborn High School in 1930, and later graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in 1934. She worked as a private duty nurse in the Sanborn, Wabasso and Springfield areas prior to marriage. Laurene was active with the local Red Cross Blood Drive for many years. She was united in marriage to Herman H. Rogotzke on May 24, 1936. They lived, farmed and raised their family in North Star Township, Brown County. Laurene was a member of the North Star Thursday Study Club (home extension group) for many years. Laurene and Herman were also Meals-on Wheels volunteers for many years. Laurene was active in the Tabitha Circle at St. Paul Lutheran Church and also served on the Altar and Flower committees, as well as the Mission Sewing and Soap Making Committees. She was an avid reader and kept up on current events. Laurene also enjoyed crossword puzzles, needlework, flower gardening, traveling, and keeping up with the activities of family and friends. Laurene Rogotzke died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Seasons Hospice House in Redwood Falls at the age of 94 years. Laurene is survived by her children- Phyllis and Bruce Porisch of Flandreau, SD, Russell and Betsy Rogotzke of Springfield, and Dr. Kenneth and Rosita Rogotzke of Watertown, SD; son-in-law- Steve Swope of Portland, OR; 13 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman in 1990; daughter Ellen Swope; brothers- Arnold, Barton, Andrew and Harold; and sister- Gilma L. Johnson.