Rose (Marian) Fort

ROSE (MARIAN) FORT

Rose (Marian) Fort, age 90, of Winona, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at her home.

She was born July 30, 1926, in Winona, to August and Mary (Kowalewski) Dzwonkowski, Sr., and attended St. Stan's Catholic School.

Rose worked at St. Mary's College and Winona Glove Company (where she met the love of her life). Rose married Earl Fort on July 7, 1945.  Rose moved on to become a seamstress at the Winona Knitting Mills where she worked for 53 years (until they closed their doors). She also worked at Great River Apparel until she retired at the age of 78.

Rose was an avid bowler, who was a member of the 600 club, and was the league champion for numerous years, as well as the state champion bowling a 726 handicap in 1985.  Rose was a member of the America Legion, and of St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona where she was a member of Circle Mary of the women’s guild, and she sang alto in the church choir for close to 40 years.  Earl built their family home on Garvin Heights where they enjoyed watching the natural wild life, gardening, and doing crossword puzzles together.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Fort, on May 12, 2014; her parents; brothers: Harold, Lambert, Roy, Edward, August Jr.; and her sister, Loretta Westlund.

Rose is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Michael) Johnson, Elk River MN; 3 grandchildren: Penny (Col. Niel, MD) Johnson, Fort Benning, GA; Kris (Dave) Dolan, Fuquay-Varina, NC; and Heather Noeska, Wadena, MN; six great-grandchildren: Alex, Connor, Lance, and Haley Johnson; and Jessica Rose and Samantha Dolan;  brothers: Gerald Dzwonkowski, Lake City, MN, and Daniel Dzwonkowski, Winona, MN; and sisters: Helen Foster, La Crescent, MN; Irene Pozanc, Winona, MN; and Juanita Serwa, Winona, MN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Friday, February 24, 2017, from 12 Noon until the funeral service at 1 PM.  The Reverend Richard A. Moore will officiate.

Rose will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Rose’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.