ORTONVILLE, Minn. - Rose Marie Van Stralen, 59, Ortonville, died on Monday, December 19, 2005, at her home in Ortonville after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services were held today (Friday) at St. John's Catholic Church in Ortonville.

Burial was held in Milbank City Cemetery, Milbank.

Rose Marie Van Stralen was born July 6, 1946 in Milbank to parents Bernard and Gladys (Van Hout) Van Stralen. She was one of 10 children in the family. She was born one day later than her twin sister, Rita. They has fun being identical twins. They even played "switch-a-roo" games. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Lawrence Parish in Milbank. She attended school in Milbank. During her sophomore year, she was in a train accidnt along with Rita. She worked hard on the family farm during her school years and graduated from Milbank High School in 1964. Following graduation, she moved to Minneapolis and graduated from the Minneapolis School of Cosmetology. She eventually married Jerry Taylor. They had two children, Brian and Tammy, both of New Hope. She had two grandchildren, Bailey Taylor and Austin Arndt (Tammy's children). After her divorce, Rose moved to Milbank. A few years later, she moved to Ortonville and married Larry Poppy. Not many years later, she was on her own again and moved into the Lakeside Apratements. Here she met some really good people who were friends through all the good times and bad. They were like her second family.

She was a member of the Oblates of Blue Cloud Abbey. She enjoyed being a beautician and working with the people. She treasured time with her children and grandchildren. Taking nature walks at Big Stone Lake was also a favorite past time. She died approximately seven months after her twin sister died from the same cancer (pancreatic cancer) and approximately four months after she found out she had cancer.

Survivors include her children, Brian Taylor and Tammy Taylor; two grandchildren; her mother, Gladys Van Stralen; four sisters, Marianne (Dale) Lantis, Marge (Bob) Hopkins, Pat (Ed) Van Stralen, Char (Merlin) Bruns; and four brothers, Frank (Cathy) Van Stralen, Mike Van Stralen, Dan Van Stralen, and Steve (Kara) Van Stralen.