Evie Rosen

Evie Rosen passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at her home.
Evie was born June 14, 1926 in Wausau to the late Dr. Sam and Ann (Glickson) Cohen. She was a 1943 graduate of Wausau High School and in 1947 received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from UW Madison. On May 9, 1948, Evie married Irving Rosen in Minneapolis.
She was a woman with a heart for others. For many years Evie was an Occupational Therapist at Mount View Sanitarium. At the age of 7, Evie discovered a passion for knitting. It was this love that led her to start the Knitting Nook in 1964 with partner Joy Levine. After years of practice and classroom experience, she became a certified instructor of knitting and taught students from beginners to advanced both domestically and internationally.
In 1991 Evie had an idea for the leftover yarn she and her customers always had around and Warm Up America was born. People across the country knit or crocheted squares which are put together to make afghans for the homeless and others in need. The program became a national success with over 15 million blocks created across the country and over 300, 000 afghans given to those in need across the globe. She was named a "Local Hero" in Time Magazine, with Oprah, Loretta Swit, and Vanna White endorsing Warm Up America.
Evie said, "I do one thing in this world really well. I knit." She designed original patterns that were published in several magazines including McCall's and Leisure Arts and authored Teach Yourself to Knit, among many other publications.
Evie has been recognized by many national awards but took great pride of being the 1993 Athena Award recipient in Wausau. She was honored for her professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment for professional excellence and leadership skills.
She was a member of Mt. Sinai Congregation where she served on the Board of Trustees and chaired the Hebrew Cemetery Committee.
Survivors include her two children, Robbin (William) Stott of Traverse City, MI, Michael (Sharon Howard) Rosen of Snohomish, WA, two grandchildren, Sara (Kyle) Sircely of Gaylord, MI, Abigail (Andy) Mileski of Livonia, MI and five great grandchildren, Jenna, Hanna, Tyler, Molly and Benjamin. Evie was preceded in death by her husband, Irving on December 27, 1979.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Mt. Sinai Congregation, 910 W. Randolph St., Wausau. Rabbi Dan Danson will officiate. Burial will be in the Hebrew Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be at the Synagogue on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. You are invited to sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Memorials may be directed to Mt. Sinai Congregation or Warm Up America at warmupamerica.org.