Rosella Anna Derksen

Rosella Derksen was born July 11, 1921 in Mt. Lake, MN—the daughter of Johann and Lena Schmidt Fast. She grew up in rural Mt. Lake and was a graduate of Mt. Lake High School. She came to faith in Christ as a young girl and became a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church re-named Cornerstone Bible Church in Mt. Lake. She was united in marriage to Henry Derksen on December 30, 1941. They had 3 children and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary shortly before Henry died. They lived in Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas, Colorado, Texas, South America and Missouri. Rosella was always active in their local churches, was very hospitable, and served alongside Henry as a missionary in Ecuador and Colombia 1976–1981. She loved reading, gardening, writing short stories and articles, bird-watching, writing notes and cards to friends, and keeping in touch by e-mail. She loved her family and friends and found ways to encourage them. Rosella is survived by her son: Stanley Irene Derksen of Kansas City, MO, daughters: Lois Harvey Pankratz of Albert Lea, MN, and Linda Larry Poston of Valley Cottage, NY; 7 grandchildren: Stephan Tanja Pankratz of Sophia, Bulgaria, James Rebecca Derksen of Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, Thomas Angela Pankratz of Rochester, MN, Timothy Ann Derksen of Tucker, GA, David Karen Pankratz of Eden Prairie, MN, Daniel Jennifer Derksen of Carmel, IN, Helena Mathew Hewlitt of Florissant, MO, 20 great-grandchildren, sister: Elsie Buller of Omaha, NE, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother: Henry L. Fast, sisters: Sarah Faul, Marie Hein, and Helen Wiebe, granddaughter: Kari Pankratz as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Memorial gifts will be given to further various mission endeavors.