Ellen Mannen Rosenberger, daughter of Josiah and Ellen Lee Mannen, was born near Waltonville, Illinois, on the 11th day of December, 1875, Ellen came naturally in the heritage of honesty, faithfulness, and a passionate love of family; all of these characteristics made her a noble citizen, a valued friend and a true helpmate to her husband and a wonderful mother to their children.

On the Second day of August, 1899, she was united in marriage to John Rosenberger of Long Prairie community and for these past 44 years has lived in or near this neighborhood.

For a few years she was House Mother at the Boys School at St. Charles. Here her motherly instinct and personal love for all children was given a free rein, and Mother Rosenberger became an inspiration to many outside her own family, who today rise up and call her blessed.

Having lost her health some time ago, she was finally taken to the hospital at Centralia on her 68th birthday, where she lingered but one week, when the spirit, submitted to, and obeyed the voice of God and winged its flight to the realms above while the body was left to its loved ones to bury out of sight in the narrow confines of its earthly house.

She leaves behind to cherish all the fond memories, her husband and four children, two sons and two daughters, namely, Joe Rosenberger of Kankakee, Ill.; Stanley Rosenberger of Woodlawn, Ill.; Mrs. Fern Wisebecker of Woodlawn, Ill.; Mrs. Alma Sumuer Hails, Woodlawn, Ill. Five grand children together with two step grand children who love her, and whom she loved as her own.

Harry Story, who was taken into the home was as a son and joins in grieving with the family.

Four brothers, Hardy, Ray, Seburn and Josiah and one sister, Mrs. Anna Wayman Norris, and her step-mother, Mrs. Josiah Mannen of Waltonville, are left to carry on the traditions of this old pioneer family.

Little Jerome and Mrs. Minnie Walker, brother and sister, preceded her a few years ago.

Early in life she joined the Baptist church and later it was the pleasure of the writer to receive this fine lady into the fellowship of God's dear ones, when she joined the Methodist church while he was pastor of Long Prairie church.

To all who mourn the passing of this loved one, let me speak to you, in the language of a poem, the author of which I do not know but it is the message we want:

God hath not promised, Skies always blue;
Flower-strewn pathways, All our lives through.
God hath not promised Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, Light for the way.
Grace for the trials, Help from above.
Unfailing sympathy, Undying love.

Funeral services Dec. 20, 1943 at West Salem by Rev. G.A. Phelps, Burial in West Salem cemetery.

Source: Mt Vernon Register News
Date: December 1943
Submitted by: Cindy Ford