Rosella Shallenberger

Rosella Shallenberger was born Rosella Mary McLaren in Grand Forks, N.D. on March 18, 1918. She grew up during the Depression era so missed out on the “roaring ‘20s” but still found fun in dancing, ice skating and singing in her high school and collage glee club. She attended the University of North Dakota, majoring in nutrition, but left the cold of North Dakota before finishing her education to marry and move to sunny California.

Eventually divorced and with two small daughters, Rosella made a living as a beautician and raised her children alone. She loved to bake and sew and made most of her family’s clothes. At one time she was a 4-H leader and president of a local women’s club.

In 1959 she met and married Lloyd Shallenberger, and they made their home in Riverside, Calif. They retired to Tacoma in 1974. After Lloyd’s death in 2000, Rosella lived with her daughter Ardythe Fleener in Tacoma. They traveled all over the world together until poor health forced Rosella to seek an assisted living situation.

Her older daughter Emma Amiad had been living on Vashon Island for many years and so the family chose the Vashon Community Care Center (VCCC) for Rosella. Ardythe then retired and moved to Vashon, and the small family once again lived close to each other.

Rosella died June 6, 2007, after a brief illness. She had just celebrated her 89th birthday in March. She is remembered as having a sunny, friendly personality. She was always eager to join in the many trips and activities at VCCC. She never missed a shopping trip or a bingo game. She will be missed not only by her family but also by her friends and caregivers at VCCC.

Survivors include her daughters Ardythe Fleener and Emma Amiad and daughter-in-law Susan White, all of Vashon.  Remembrances may be made to the Vashon Community Care Center, where Rosella enjoyed many years of wonderful care and loving companionship.