John Rose

Photograph of John Rose, obtained from The Huron Daily Plainsman.

On November 11, 2020, John G. Rose passed away at the age of 73. As a Vietnam War veteran, John received a Purple Heart, an honor presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action. The Purple Heart is a solemn distinction, indicating John’s great sacrifice in the line of duty.

John was from Huron, South Dakota. He passed away in Yankton, South Dakota, roughly 150 miles away from his hometown, while incarcerated at Mike Durfee State Prison.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Myrtle Garlock Rose, and by his daughter, Shawna. He is survived by a sister, Barbara Dahlquist of Elk River, Minnesota; a daughter, Jenny of Ft. Collins, Colorado; a son, Eric; grandsons Riley and Ricky of Kushiro Hokkaido Japan, and Caden; and a granddaughter, Belle of Brandon, South Dakota.

Though the South Dakota Department of Corrections claimed that John died of natural causes, other sources concluded that his death was COVID-related. Whether or not John died directly from COVID exposure, his death is heartbreaking. We stand with John’s family and loved ones in mourning his loss and celebrating the passing of a dedicated American.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Frances Keohane with information from an online obituary by The Huron Daily Plainsman and a press release by South Dakota Department of Corrections.