Louise Rew

Louise Sadie Rew, 91, of Pine Island, passed away peacefully Saturday, August 24.

Louise was born November 11,1932 in Frazee, MN to William and Emma (Blauert) Oelfke. She was the 10th of 11 children. She graduated from 8th grade in the one room schoolhouse she attended. She always said that she walked 5 miles uphill both ways to get to school.

She worked hard growing up on a farm but in her spare time she would embroider and crochet with her sister. She loved to go dancing. She met Merton Rew at a dance and they became engaged. Merton then spent almost 3 years in Japan in the Army. While he was overseas, Louise moved into Detroit Lakes and took a job in the hospital helping care for patients. When Merton returned, they were married. They lived in Chicago, Hibbing and back to Frazee. In 1963, they moved to Rochester where Louise raised their family. After the kids were all in school, Louise worked at Pine Haven Nursing Home and Madonna Towers. She enjoyed working with the elderly. Louise loved to embroider and work on puzzles and especially loved to entertain the grandchildren. Louise and Merton were married almost 70 years.

Louise is survived by daughters Debra Weis of Prescott Valley, AZ and Patricia Rew of Pine Island; and a son, James (Dawn) Rew of Pine Island. She had 7 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by husband, Merton, son, Russell, and great grandson, RJ.