The last of the three "Nosy Rosy" sisters, Clara Rosenau Redwine, passed on to our heavenly home, promised to those who believe in the salvation offered through faith in Jesus.
Her grandson, Peter Redwine wrote to her in her final days, and we are including part of what he said here:
"You have always been the kind of Matriarch that novelists write about: a frontier farm girl, an adventurous young woman who leaves the farm for Minneapolis, who moves to California and ends up being one of the first women to rise through the ranks of the phone company at an executive level."
Clara always remembered her roots in Clark and for many years, even in her early 90s, would drive herself and her sister Adeline from California out to the family farm house, still maintained by her brother Fred and spend two or three weeks in that solitude.
For many years, she was an avid knitter, always eager to find new patterns, stitches and yarn to create beautiful clothing that the beneficiaries will wear as a tribute.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Ruth Rosenau and he sisters, Helen Flatmoe and Adeline Hupp. She is survived by her brothers, Frank Rosenau, Darrell Rosenau and Fred Rosenau; by her children, Sherrie Solway and Randy Redwine; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Clara taught me to knit just before her 90th birthday. I took many classes from her even through covid when she taught on line. Her brain was sharp as a tack! My favorite phrase she used when we were all knitting hats was “if the hat doesn’t fit find a new head to put it on”. She has been missed at the knit shop for a couple of years now and will be missed in the Placerville community.
I was struggling with a knitting project that didn’t fit well. When I called the shop to see if I could get some help, I was told that Clara was teaching a class and wouldn’t be available for another hour or so. When I went to the shop, the class was over, but Clara and many women were still sitting around the table knitting. I approached Clara and she welcomed me warmly and spent over a half an hour helping me! She had such a warm personality that made you feel as though you’ve known each other for years and my project finally got the finishing touches it needed. I was surprised to find out at that time she was 91 years old. She was as sharp as a tack. What a warm and lovely woman.
As one of the many sure to list Clara as the reason they learned to knit, I celebrate her memory. The moxie of her learning to knit by selecting a dress as a first project (!) with only printed instructions still inspires. And, yes, it is “only knits and purls”.
I was so fortunate to meet Clara at Lofty Lou’s in Placerville. She helped me, patiently, with some knitting projects where I was having difficulties. I enjoyed chatting with her as well and hearing about her adventurous drives to South Dakota. She was such a super sweet and helpful lady. I’ll think of her every time I walk into the yarn store.
I loved to come into the shop and watch her knit, truly an inspiration to me. I pick up knitting at 70 and has become a passion for over the last few years. Thank you Clara for your inspiration to me.
Clara taught me to knit and inspired me to always keep trying new things, new stitches. Her bright smile and twinkling eyes lifted the spirit. Thank you Clara!
Clara is the reason that I am able to pick up any pattern with confidence. To her it was all “just knits and purls.” Not only did I learn so much from her, but she built a community at Lofty Lou’s and we still meet to this day because of her. She was truly one of a kind and will be missed.
Clara was incredible knitting instructor and person. She has inspired so many people to achieve what they may have been hesitant to achieve. Learning of her life as I was learning stitches are some of the fondest memories of my life. I’m grateful to have known her and learned from her.
Thank you very much, Clara, for everything knitting! I miss you, our friendship, our laughter. May you sleep in heavenly peace, my friend.