Community Service Award recipient Bill Rosenau at his desk at First Bank Blue Earth.

Bill Rosenau’s family history in the Blue Earth area dates back to the 1800s. The values that were passed down by his ancestors – to help people who need help – remain with Bill today. On Monday, Feb. 3, he will be honored at the annual Blue Earth Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Awards Ceremony with the Community Service Award.

The banquet, held at Riverside Town and Country Club will begin with happy hour at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and a program at 7 p.m.

And to think, if life would have worked out a little different, Bill may not have settled in the Blue Earth Area.

“I had graduated from South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, South Dakota, with a Bachelor of Science in animal science,” Bill recalls. “The year was 1999 and I was planning to go to vet school.”

However, his wife, Susie, who he married in 1998, still had two years of college left to get her degree.

“I didn’t want to be apart from her for two years so I got a job in banking,” Bill says. “After those two years I learned I could make as much money in the banking industry and I wouldn’t have to go to vet school. So, I made a career change.”

His first job was in Graceville, Minnesota, which is a small town located in the knob on the western border of Minnesota. It is only 20 miles from the South Dakota border.

“We were in Graceville for four years before we moved to Blue Earth in 2003,” Bill comments. “I had graduated from Blue Earth Area in 1994 and worked at Juba’s during my high school years.”

Once they had relocated to Blue Earth, Susie got hired by Zitnak Pharmacy.

“Once Susie had her job, Denny Zitnak talked to area banks to get me interviews,” Bill remarks. “I was hired by First National Bank which is now called First Bank.”

Over 20 years later, Rosenau still works at the same bank and is now the chief credit officer for the bank.

The couple also started their family after they had settled on a farm southwest of the city and have three children. The oldest is Kylie, a junior in college at SDSU. Next is Carter, a senior at BEA and their youngest is Brooklyn, who is a freshman at BEA. They are also providing a home for Omar Gomez, a friend of Carter’s and a fellow member of the Bucs’ football team.

Bill, along with Susie, coached their youngest daughter’s fourth, fifth and sixth grade basketball teams.

“Even though Brooklyn no longer plays basketball, I still enjoy watching her teammates from those elementary years to see how they are doing today,” Bill says.

Baseball was another sport Bill was active in coaching the younger kids.

“I helped coach in the I-90 League and Junior Pirates baseball,” he notes.

Besides being involved with his children and their activities, Bill has been a volunteer fireman for the Blue Earth Fire Department since 2004 and has served as a captain and a lieutenant for the department.

“I am also on the Blue Earth Economic Development Authority and served as its chairman last year,” Bill shares. “I have been on that board since 2005 or 2006.”

He is also a past member of Kiwanis and has served as an elder at his local church.

Like their father and their mother, the Rosenau’s children have also been active in a number of organizations, including the Business Professionals of America, 4-H, FFA, Knowledge Bowl, band and orchestra.

“I think you learn to be involved from being around your parents,” Bill says. “It’s just what your parents did. You want to give back to your community and every once in awhile you get a chance to make a difference. We live in a community where businesses support and encourage their employees to volunteer and be involved and that is a positive thing for everyone.”