Frank B. Rove, 84, a beloved father, grandfather and uncle, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Aurora Rehab & Living Center in Aurora, Ill., where he had been a resident for two years.
He was born Sept. 14, 1927, in Toronto, Canada, to Norwegian nationals Heine and Astri (Svenson) Rove. The name he was given at birth was Bror Rove. He was raised in Oslo, Norway, and emigrated to the United States in 1953. He married Norwegian citizen Judith Asmundvaag in 1955. Upon becoming a U.S. citizen in 1958, he legally changed his name to Frank B. Rove. Frank and Judith had three daughters, whom were raised in St. Charles, Ill. Judith passed away in 1978.
Frank married Ilse (Rabbe) Ramsden, also widowed, in 1979. She had been raised in Berlin, Germany, and had emigrated to the U.S. as a young adult. Frank and Ilse left St. Charles in 1985 and moved to Richland Center, Wis., where they owned and operated the Riverside Motel until their retirement in 1996. They then lived in DeBary, Fla., until 2005, at which time they returned to Illinois. Ilse passed away in 2006.
Prior to moving to the U.S., Frank worked as a cook and chef aboard commercial ships, including the Norwegian Merchant Marines and whaling vessels. In the U.S., he first worked in food service for the Bankers Club in Manhattan, and moved to the Midwest in the mid-1950s to be chef at the former Jules Danish Tavern in Rock Falls. In the years which followed, Frank worked in various food service and management positions at the former Wagon Wheel Resort in Rockton, the former Sweden House in Rockford, Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, the former Chateau Louise in West Dundee, McHenry Country Club in McHenry, Elgin Community College in Elgin, Marmion Military Academy in North Aurora, and the V.F.W. Post in Batavia.
In addition to both of his wives, Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Per Rove; sister Sylvia Gjolberg; and nephew Per Kristian Gjolberg, all of Oslo, Norway; and by sister-in-law Bodil Rabben of Hitra, Norway.
Frank is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Kirsten and Bob Snodgrass of St. Charles; Lisa Rove-Williams and Tracy Williams of DeKalb; and Doris Rove-Stevens and Tim Stevens of St. Charles; seven grandchildren, Erik Snodgrass and Astri Snodgrass of St. Charles; Leif Williams, Cooper Williams, and Glendon Williams of DeKalb; and Kolbein Stevens and Maja Stevens of St. Charles; a brother-in-law Johan Asmundvaag; nieces Astri Gjolberg and Grace Rove; and nephews Harald Rove and Morten Gjolberg, all residing in Norway; and his lifelong friend Doris Tappe Siebold, originally from Norway and currently residing at Aurora Rehab & Living Center.
A private memorial service will be held in June.
