Community Corner
UPDATE: Bill Rossman, Former Northfield Mayor, Passes Away at Age 63
Rossman served as mayor from 1996 to 2001. He died on Friday, according to the Bierman Funeral Home website.
UPDATE, MONDAY: Here is the updated death notice and memorial service information for former Northfield mayor Bill Rossman, who died Friday at age 63. This information is from the Bierman Funeral Home website:
William “Bill” Allen Rossman, passed away on June 14, 2013, he was 63 years old at his home in Northfield.
Bill was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Minn. He graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1967 and attended Carleton College, the University of Minnesota and enlisted in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. He later attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth and received Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism.
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Bill is preceded in death by his parents Allen and Mel Rossman, and survived by loving wife Victoria (Engman) Rossman, children Jon Rossman (Rhonda), Alyn Davis (Brock), Brian Cahalan (Gretchen), Erin Cahalan, Brenda Cahalan, and six grandchildren, Sterling, Alannah, Sophi, Ames, Milo and June. Sister Mimi Falk (Richard), nieces and nephews Jameson, Lars, Mally and Clive and many other relatives, friends and close neighbors.
In his early career, Bill worked in his family printing business as a photographer, writer and salesman. His love for writing continued and in his early adulthood he authored “Builder of Birch Bark Canoe” and in his retirement he was writing a children’s book in honor of his grandchildren.
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Bill was dedicated to the Northfield community and served as city councilman in the First Ward and as Mayor from 1995–2001. He had a variety of interests including spending time at his cabin on Leech Lake, painting, reading and coaching hockey. He was an accomplished artist, writer/poet, musician and singer, and an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 19th from 4-7 p.m. at the Bierman Funeral Home, located at 1316 Division St. S. in Northfield, and a celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Thursday, June 20th at 11 a.m., followed by full military honors, with a luncheon to follow. Family will be available to chat and share stories prior to the celebration of life on Thursday from 10-11a.m. Bill’s wishes were that those attending wear bright colors in celebration of his life.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or American Red Cross.
Funeral arrangements are by the Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield.
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ORIGINAL STORY, SATURDAY, JUNE 15: Former Northfield Mayor Bill Rossman has died. He was 63.
Rossman, mayor from 1996 to 2001, “passed away suddenly” at his home on Friday, according to a death notice posted Saturday on the Bierman Funeral Home website. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Click here to see the notice.
Rossman, says his Facebook page, was semi-retired in recent years, working as an artist and writer.
Here is a message left on the page by Rossman’s family on Saturday:
Life is but a battlefield where there are no victors. When a white flag is waved to surrender may you then find peace.
Bill passed away on June 13th unexpectedly at his home. He was loved by so many and was truly one of a kind. His intelligence, love, wit and creativity will always live on in our hearts. While the family is working out the details of the services please feel free to post memories. Updates will be posted as they come in.
Thank you...
The Rossman Family
Click here to go to his Facebook page.
