Rose Mattern Wirth

Rose Mattern Wirth, age 96 of Devils Lake, formerly of Esmond and Warwick, ND passed away on Friday morning, November 27, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Rose, daughter of Gabriel and Annie (Bertsch) Hager was born on November 24, 1919 at Esmond, ND. She was reared on the family farm and educated in area country schools. In her teens she worked at her Father’s general store and also as a waitress at the local café. While waitressing, Rose met her future husband Martin Mattern, they fell in love, were united in marriage on September 29, 1938 and lived in Cando. In 1947 they moved to New Rockford where Martin worked as a mechanic and farmed. In 1956 they moved to Warwick and farmed until Martin’s death in 1979. Rose was a devoted wife and mother. She worked side by side with Martin, in the barn milking the cows, during the busy farming seasons Rose took over the milking operation and was out in the barn long hours wearing her son Don’s “liner from his hard hat”. Rose cooked large meals, baked and enjoyed gardening. Love for family couldn’t be contained to just their own children. Martin and Rose were foster parents for a number of Spirit Lake children from 1959 to 1979. Rose kept a close relationship with her foster children including Gary Longie, Delphine Tomahawk and Algie Eagleman. After Martins death on December 18, 1979, Rose retired and moved to Devils Lake where she made her home until her death. Rose was a member of and attended Catholic Church in Tokio, Warwick and St. Joseph’s of Devils Lake. She was active in the Altar Society at Tokio and Warwick parishes and a St. Catherine Circle member of St. Joseph Church. Rose married Lester Wirth on March 29, 1984, lived in Devils Lake and wintered in Arizona for several years. In their retirement years together they enjoyed going to garage and auction sales, buying, selling and trading their finds. Lester died on February 12, 1990. Rose alongside her friends Ruth Allery and Delores Skadson, enjoyed bingo and trips to the casino. In her later years she loved quilting, braiding rugs, touring her farmland, trips to Sully’s Hill and loved time spent with family. She enjoyed her daily visits with her grandson Anthony Regan, watching the Price is Right and talking farming. Rose was proud of her step grandson Steven Wirth, who is studing for the priesthood. She especially loved spending time with her five generations of children and keeping up to date with their lives. Rose is survived by her children Ann (Gerald) Schwab , Don (Carole) Mattern, Mary (Dan) Senger, all of Devils Lake and Rod Mattern, Dawson, ND; twelve grandchildren including: Roxanne (Jim) Wells, Brenda (Kevin) Regan, Todd (Julie) Schwab, Robin (Brad) Taylor, (Chris) Varsoke, Alan (Sally) Mattern, Jason Mattern, Brian (Shawna) Senger, Brent (Laurie) Senger, Barry (Jody) Senger; Brannon (Denise) Hanson, Holly Mattern and Brandon Mattern; twenty four great grandchildren; eight great great grandchildren; step children are Tom (Karen) Wirth, Aiken, S.C., Fred (Jane) Wirth and Roger (Gail) Wirth all of Munich, ND; nine step grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; brother Valentine Hager, Sacramento, CA; sisters Annie Meier, Fargo, ND, Agnes Dodd, Luray, VI and Carol Gorham, Alexandria, VI; many nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Martin Mattern and Lester Wirth; grand daughter Jacqueline Schwab; great granddaughter Jaimie Senger and great grandson baby Trevor Mattern; brothers Anton, John, Mike, Gabriel, Bernard, Paul and Ignatius Hager and sister Mary Eldridge. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Casket Bearers will be grandsons Todd Schwab, Alan Mattern, Jason Mattern, Brian Senger, Brent Senger, Barry Senger, Brandon Mattern and Brannon Hanson. Reading the Scriptures will be Roxanne Wells and Brian Senger. LeShawndi Follman, Holly Mattern, Taylor Hoffner, Sadie Senger, Robin Taylor, Anthony Regan, Marissa Regan and Brenda Regan will be the Gift Bearers and present items in memory of Grandma. Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and Audrey Myklebust. Rose's family is thankful for the 96 years that God gave her on this earth. She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.