Gary L. Rosendahl

Gary L. Rosendahl, 64, of Rockton, IL, returned to his heavenly home on January 15, 2020. After a courageous battle with kidney disease and cancer, God called him home. His faith in Jesus and his family and friends were his joy in life. All he asked for was God's will during his illness.  Gary was born to Kermit and Phyllis Rosendahl on January 1, 1956 in Minot, North Dakota.  He graduated from Fairmount High in 1974, and then pursued his education in journalism at ND State College of Science, and Valley City State University. He competed in All State basketball championships and held records in the state of North Dakota.  At a very young age, he had a passion for music and journalism. He DJ'd for the Sound Machine, and had his own photography studio. His career in journalism began at the Wahpeton Daily News. He enjoyed reviewing big name concerts including Prince, Kansas, and Queen. In 1992 he moved across the country to Monroe, WI to work for the Monroe Times, and eventually The Independent Register in Brodhead, WI as the editor. He loved taking sports photos and writing stories.  

It was during his time in Brodhead that he met the love of his life, Barbara Dickson Goble. They were married June 18, 1999. They knew they had much love to share in their home and traveled to China in 2002 to bring back their beautiful daughter, Kaylee Jin. That trip would be followed by another in 2005 for another beautiful daughter, Sienna Gabrielle. They were the light of his life. People told him they saved their lives, but he would tell you they saved his.  In 2009 he took a giant leap of faith and started his own publication, Brodhead Free Press. He worked diligently and proudly, covering Brodhead and its surrounding communities.  He loved to travel. With family in Australia and New Zealand, he had plenty of opportunities. He was most proud of his 1997 bicycle trip from North Dakota to Colorado, and climbing Mount “Charpet”.

Gary is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Kaylee, Sienna, April (Eric) Meyer, Amber (Derrick) Lau, and Justin (Amanda) Goble; his parents, Kermit (June Young) Rosendahl, and Phyllis Jackson; his sister, Linda Rosendahl (John Mayne); step-siblings, Mei Young and Andy Young; niece, Skye; and his grandchildren, Tyler, Lila, Willa, Natalee, Noelle, Audrey, Olivia, and Shelby. They were the apple of Grampy's eye.

Funeral service will be at 11:00am with a visitation from 10:00am until the service on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Roscoe Chapel, 11342 Main Street, Roscoe 61073.  A visitation will also be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00pm in the funeral home.  Burial in Willowbrook Cemetery, Roscoe.

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