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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., July 16, 1998, page 16
Includes portrait

ROSA F. SURFACE

Rosa Florence Kuhnhausen was born the second of four children to Herman and Emma (Wahl) Kuhnhausen on April 11, 1892 in Glenwood. She passed away on July 11, 1998 in Hood River, at the age of 106.
Born into a German-speaking home, she didn't learn English until she started school. At that time, she brought home her new English words each day and taught them to her mother.
She was united in marriage to Timothy J. Ward of Blockhouse on Nov.17, 1912. Following the wedding, they drove to Lyle in a horse-drawn, open hack in a full rainstorm. Soaked, they caught a train to Portland for their honeymoon. Upon return, they moved into the new home they had built in Glenwood, now owned by Bentons. One son, Frank F. Ward, was born to the couple.
The couple spent their summers in the high country of Mount Adams running sheep and their winters entertaining and dancing to music from the Edison phonograph. Life was good.
Rosa conquered challenges, almost as a hobby. She became the pianist for Glenwood Grange #94 at the age of 12 when one was supposed to be 14 years old before becoming a member. That fact was overlooked as the Grange needed a pianist, she was able, and someone offered to pay her dues, after which she remained a member most of her life. She was also a member of the Camas Prairie and Vicinity Pioneer Association.
She sewed her long skirt together to make pants and climbed Mount Adams with a group of men before women did such things. She had her own bank account and checkbook after her marriage and learned to drive an automobile. She also voted in the first presidential election following the advent of women's suffrage and never missed another election, even in the Care Center when by absentee.
Widowed in 1929, she later married Stant S. "Happy" Surface, who preceded her in death in 1974. In 1977 she accompanied the sister-city tour group to Bingen, Germany, and other European destinations. While in Bingen, she served as interpreter between Bingen's burgermeister and White Salmon's mayor.
The following year Rosa was selected to serve as the first queen of the White Salmon May Festival and welcomed the people in both German and English. She thrilled at being included in every royalty parade thereafter for as long as she was able.
Mrs. Surface was preceded in death by two husbands, two brothers, Robert and Herman Kuhnhausen, and one sister, Emma Fenske, as well as two great grandchildren.
Surviving are her son and his wife, Frank E. and LuEllen Ward, Gresham, Ore. There are also three grandchildren, Juanita Rolph, Glenwood, Dr. Darold Ward, Missoula, Mont. (in Africa at the time of her death), and Sue Atkins, San Angelo, Texas. Six great grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, seven nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and other relatives also mourn her passing.
Services for Mrs. Surface were held July 15, 1998, in the White Salmon Congregational Church where she had been a member for many years. Interment followed in the Mt. Adams Cemetery, Glenwood.
Memorials may be made to the Mount Adams Community Church, Glenwood.
Arrangements were handled by Gardner Funeral Home, White Salmon.

The Columbian, Vancouver, WA., July 17, 1998, page ___

Rosa F. Surface

Hood River, Ore.
Rosa Florence Kuhnhausen Ward Surface, 106, died Saturday, July 1, 1998, in a Hood River care center.
She was born April 11, 1892, in Glenwood, Wash.
A funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bethel Congregational Church in white Salmon, followed by burial in Mount Adams Cemetery in Glenwood. The casket will be open until 5 p.m. today at Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon.
Mrs. Surface was a member of the Bethel Congregational Church, Glenwood Grange and was the first queen of the White Salmon May Fest.
Survivors include one son, Frank E. Ward of Gresham; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Surface was preceded in death by her first husband, Timothy J. Ward, in 1929; her second husband, Stant Surface, in 1974; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pioneer Memorial Community Church in Glenwood.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 16, 1998, page 5

ROSA FLORENCE WARD SURFACE

Rosa Florence Ward Surface, 106, of Hood River, Ore., passed away July 11, 1998.
She was born April 11, 1892 to Herman and Emma (Wahl) Kuhnhausen, Sr., in Glenwood. Born into a German-speaking home, she didn't learn English until she started school.
Rosa married Timothy J. Ward of Blockhouse, in 1912. Following the wedding, they drove to Lyle in a horse-drawn, open hack in a full rainstorm. Soaked, they caught a train to Portland for their honeymoon. Upon return, they moved into their new home in Glenwood. The family spent their summers in the high country of Mt. Adams, running sheep; and their winters entertaining and dancing to music from the Edison phonograph.
Rosa sewed her long skirt together to make pants, and climbed Mt. Adams with a group of men before women did such things. She also voted in the first presidential election following the advent of women's suffrage and never missed another election, even in the Care Center, by absentee.
Widowed in 1929, she later married Stant S. "Happy" Surface, who preceded her in death in 1974. In 1977 she accompanied the sister-city tour group to Bingen, Germany, and other European destinations. While in Bingen, she served as interpreter between Bingen's Burgermeister and White Salmon's mayor.
The following year, Rosa was selected to serve as the first queen of the White Salmon May Festival, and welcomed the people in both German and English. She was included in every royalty parade thereafter for as long as she was able.
Rosa became the pianist for Glenwood Grange 94 at the age of 12, after which she remained a member most of her life. She was also a member of the Camas Prairie and Vicinity Pioneer Association.
Rosa was preceded in death by two husbands, two brothers, Robert and Herman Kuhnhausen; and one sister, Emma Fenske, as well as two great grandchildren.
Survivors include her son, Frank E. and LuEllen Ward, Gresham, Ore; three grandchildren, Juanita Rolph of Glenwood; Dr. Darold Ward of Missoula, Mont., Sue Atkins of San Angelo, Texas; six great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law; seven nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and relatives.
Services were held July 15 in the White Salmon Congregational Church, with Rev. Sylvia Eagan officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. Adams Cemetery in Glenwood. Gardner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Adams Community Church in Glenwood.