Obituary - Rose Shennum

Rose Shennum, 91, went home to be with the Lord on February 25, 2021. Her desire to be at home in her final hours surrounded by her children, loved ones and friends was fulfilled. Rose lived independently until she fell, fractured her hip, then passed away from complications of hip surgery.

A celebration of life will be held at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 417 20th St, Havre at 2:00 p.m. on July 31. Cremation has taken place and arrangements have been made by the Wilderness Funeral Home.

Rose was born in El Paso, Texas, to Edwardo and Sara Pinoda. She was the second of four children. Her mother later remarried and the kid's were adopted by Christo "Nick" Nickola, who was an officer in the U.S. Army. As a teenager, Rose loved to go to the dances at the officers club. She met her soulmate, John Shennum Jr., who was stationed at Fort Bliss, on a horseback riding date. They fell in love and were married in 1946, moving to Scobey, MT, to live on the family farm. That was quite a challenge for a city girl. What a shock! She met living on the farm with determination, a few trips back to El Paso to see her family and talking John into moving into town.

In 1956, Rose and her family moved to Havre, where they raised their five children, Barbara, David, Lois, Jody and John III. Rose considered it an honor and a privilege to be a stay at home wife and mother. She was an excellent cook and baker. Rose was a devoted wife and mother putting her family first at all times. She held high standards for her children and led by example. She was strict and never compromised her values or standards. Her family attended the Methodist church every Sunday faithfully and later years the Assembly of God. She was the glue of her family and held a special place in her heart for her children and grandchildren.

Rose was an excellent seamstress, she was an avid bowler, bowling on a house wives and mixed league with her husband and sons, where she won many trophies and awards. She was a jack of all trades and mastered everything she attempted to do. Quitting was never an option for her. Rose was a hard worker and instilled those ethics to her children.

Rose had a vivacious personality that was bigger than life. She was not afraid to speak her mind and would let you know if you were on her list. Her humor and wit kept everyone laughing. Her zest for life was infectious. Her independence was inspiring. She lived her life with courage, perseverance, integrity and got her strength from God and her own tenacity.

Rose moved to Colorado in the mid '80s to be with family. She made many lifetime friends. There she worked at Continental Air Lines in the food service. Rose always went dancing. She was an excellent dancer. She did the Dutch hop, polka, waltz, fox trot, two step, jitterbug, even winning a twist contest at Cripple Creek.

In 2013, she moved back home to Havre to be near family. In 2016, she started dialysis and developed a close friendship with her kidney specialist, Dr. Paramb, and her chiropractor, Hugo Gibson. Rose kept a positive attitude throughout many difficult treatments of dialysis, bone on bone in both knees and arthritis. Rose loved talking on the phone for hours, often leaving it off the hook when she was done, much to her children's dismay. She loved shopping, old Country music, old Westerns, scary movies, going to the theater, her yard in the summer with all her flowers, especially roses and her Christmas tree that was decorated with many ornaments she had collected over the years. Dancing was her greatest passion. If there was music playing, she was dancing, which earned her the name "the dancing queen." She could be seen at Pepin Park or Town Square enjoying the music and getting the dancing started.

She taught us all we needed to know except how to live without her. Mom, we love you always and forever. We will cherish all the wonderful memories of you until we meet again in Heaven.