Jane M. Rosenberg, 85, of Bloomington, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at her home.

Jane Marilyn Rosenberg was born June 11, 1933, at home in Williston, North Dakota, the daughter of Alfred and Ella (Midstokke) Alfson. Jane was raised and attended school in Williston and graduated from Williston High School. She then attended UCLA, Drake University, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. On July 6, 1956, she married John “Jack” Rosenberg in Williston. The couple moved to Austin, where they raised four children.

As a young adult, Jane worked as a legal secretary in Williston and later in Austin before becoming a stay-at-home mother. A determined individual who valued education, she returned to college in 1976 to complete her degree. After two years balancing school and home life, including the care of three children still at home, she graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education.

In 1978, Jane became a teacher at the age of 45, stepping into a profession she loved — education. She taught secretarial skills, including business communications, and served as Secretarial Department Chairperson at the Austin Vocational and Technical Institute. She transitioned into administration, serving as Assistant Director and Dean of Instruction for Minnesota Riverland Technical College. She held an integral leadership role in the strategic planning for the merger of Riverland’s technical and community colleges. She retired in June 1995.

Jane was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin and later belonged to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington. One of her proudest service accomplishments was participating in the committee that selected and raised funds for the purchase of Our Savior’s pipe organ. She belonged to and was an officer for both the Women’s Association for the Austin Symphony Orchestra (WAASO) and for the Austin chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She also was active with the Austin Artist Series.

Jane loved classical music and was a talented pianist, though she rarely played outside the home. She was a fine seamstress and cook, and read voraciously. A member of multiple bridge clubs, she loved to play cards. Finally, she treasured time spent with family and friends.
Jane was a loving daughter, sibling, cousin, wife, mother, aunt, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. She also was a professional, leader, trailblazer, and role model. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Ella Alfson; husband, John “Jack” Rosenberg; brothers, Bruce Alfson, James Alfson and Floyd Alfson; sisters, June Alfson and Marlene “Gale” (Alfson) Kelly.

She is survived by her children and daughters-in-law, Christopher (Erica) Rosenberg of New York City, New York, John (Dawn) Rosenberg of Bloomington, Paul Rosenberg of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Jenna Rosenberg of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Shannon, Ivan, Ryan, Lauren and Max Rosenberg; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Marian) Rosenberg and Charlene Alfson; nieces, nephews and a cousin.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 8400 France Ave. S., Bloomington, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018, at Gill Brothers Funeral Chapel, 9947 Lyndale Ave. S., Bloomington, Minnesota, and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will follow the service and a light lunch.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials in Jane’s name to Riverland Community College Foundation (www.riverland.edu/about-riverland/foundation), designating them for academic scholarships.

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