Rochester, MN

Mrs. Anna Rose Biever, 86, of Rochester, MN, died Saturday, August 14, 2004, at her home in Charter House. She had been a Charter House resident since 1987.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mrs. Biever at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 25 at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview. Concele-brants will be Father Donald Connelly, Father James Callahan and Father Cathal Gallagher.

Anna Rose Gallagher was born September 30, 1917 to Chester C. and Elizabeth Ley Gallagher in Plainview, MN. She was graduated as salutatorian of the Plainview High School Class of 1935. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the Universtiy of Minnesota in 1940. As a teenager she was active in Wabasha County 4-H Club Work and earned a trip to the National 4-H Congress in 1935. While a student at the University of Minnesota, she participated in the Beta of Clovia Sorority, Gopher 4-H, Punchinello Players, and the Minnesota Home Economics Association. On October 10, 1942 Anna Rose married Lawrence Biever of Lake Benton, MN at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview. He died in 1984.

Before her marriage, Mrs. Biever served as 4-H Extension Agent with the University of Minnesota at Redwood Falls and Ivanhoe. While her husband earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Extension and 4-H Club Work at the University of Wisconsin, she was 4-H and Home Economics Extension Agent in Wautoma and Madison, Wisconsin.

Dr. and Mrs. Biever were named 4-H Club Specialists with the University of Illinois in 1957. Working with more than 12,000 young people during the next 17 and a half years, they pioneered the 4-H Club program in the City of Chicago. The Chicago 4-H program was well received by young people, their parents, educators, and business leaders of Chicago. Many of the Chicago 4-H members achieved state and national recognition. After retiring from their positions with the Chicago 4-H programs in 1974, they authored Connotative Camping, a book that was distributed nationally.

In 1972, Mrs. Biever received distinguished service awards from Illinois and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. She is listed in Who’s Who of American Women and Illinois Lives. Upon retirement, she and her husband were awarded certificates of merit in recognition of outstanding work with Chicago young people. One award was from Mayor Richard J. Daley and the City of Chicago and one from Cook County Illinois Board of Commissioners. Recently, Mrs. Biever was featured in the videotape, 4-H Across the Decades, filmed to document the 50th Anniversary of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

After her return to Minnesota, Mrs. Biever continued her association with the Beta of Clovia Sorority of which she was a founding member in 1937 at the University of Minnesota. She served as president of the Alumnae Beta of Clovia Association for 15 years and as a board member for 18 years. In 1987 she organized the Clovia Housing Development Fund in observance of the Clovia Golden Anniversary. Mrs. Biever was a life member of the Beta of Clovia Sorority, the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents and Home Economists, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Epsilon Sigma Phi Honorary Fraternity, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Rochester.

Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Elaine G. Brady, of Mission Viejo, CA, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers.

Arrangements by Schad and Zabel Funeral Home of Plainview.

Blessed be her memory.