Rose Leary 06/23/2026

Rose Marie (Knutson) Leary of River Falls, Wi passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026 at the Baldwin Care Center.
Rose was born the daughter of Ole and Anna Knutson on their family farm in Alden township, Polk County Wisconsin on October 13, 1940. Raised in a typical Norwegian household, Rose came from a large family. She was the youngest of 8 children and attended West Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Osceola, Wi.
She graduated from Osceola High School in 1959. Later that same year, she married Robert Leary, also living in Osceola. Shortly after marrying, Rose and Robert moved to River Falls.
After marrying, she worked several jobs including as a housekeeper for the Walvern Hotel in River Falls. Eventually, she was employed by the Ben Franklin store in River Falls as a clerk. When that store closed, she began working at the EconoFoods grocery store, now Family Fresh. She retired there in 2018.
Rose spent many summers with her family and friends at their cabin on Cedar Lake, near her family’s farm. Visitors were always welcome and everyone enjoyed the hospitality shown by Rose and Robert. For many years, large family reunions and gatherings would occur there.
She was a founding member of the Women of the Moose Club in River Falls and served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts of River Falls. Rose enjoyed bird watching and loved watching the Green Bay Packers.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert of 67 years; parents, Ole and Anna (Johnson) Knutson; brothers Ralph, James, Lloyd and Wayne, sisters Olive (Osborn), Doris (Priem) and Jane (Gustafson). Rose is survived by son Michael (Shirley) Leary and grandchildren Timothy and Elizabeth and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Rose’s Life is being planned for August. Please check back for details. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services