Rosemary Wilson

Rosemary L. Wilson, age 84, of River Falls, WI, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2017, at her home.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Bridget Catholic Church in River Falls, WI.

Memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Rosemary Lee was born on September 1, 1932, in Madison, MN to Emil and Marie (Hackert) Vogelbacher. She met Robert Wilson in high school in Clinton, MN where Bob was a multi-sport athlete and Rosemary was a cheerleader. After graduation, Bob went away to a short stint in the Army and to Gustavus College. Bob quit to marry Rosemary, who was training and working as Practical Nurse at the State Hospital in Willmar, MN. They moved to Wheaton, MN and eventually Blooming Prairie, MN where Bob got started in the dairy business and where he became an award-winning butter maker. Stephen, LeAnn and Barbara Jean were born during their first 3-4 years of marriage. Barbara Jean died shortly after birth and is buried in Wheaton, MN. Bob eventually moved into Field Sales in the Dairy Equipment business which led to many future moves to different sales territories including Minneapolis, MN; Menomonie, WI; Madison WI; La Crosse, WI; Boise, ID; and finally, River Falls, WI. Bob & Rosemary went on to have four more children, Nancy Jo, David and two sons who did not survive birth. Rosemary worked wherever they lived as a Psychiatric and Health Care Aide and Health Unit Coordinator. Rosemary retired at the incredible age of 78 from Hudson Hospital in Hudson, WI. where she served for 37 years. Her service and compassion at Hudson Hospital left a legacy which enriched all of the lives she touched. Bob died at the age of 80 years old in 2013 and is buried next to his daughter Barbara Jean in Wheaton, MN.

Rosemary was active in the Catholic Church and Girl Scouts. She enjoyed needlepoint, artwork, gardening, canning, card games and watching the "Price is Right!" She was an avid Minnesota sports fan, following the Vikings, Twins and Gophers. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known for her "Grandma Finale," sending off the visiting grandchildren by blowing kisses as she followed them down the driveway!

She is survived by four children, Stephen Wilson and wife JoAnne (Karpach) Wilson, LeAnn Wilson, David Wilson and wife Sharon (O'Connell) Wilson, and Nancy Jo Ferguson (Wilson) and husband Robert Bradley Ferguson; seven grandsons, one granddaughter, eight great grandchildren and one on the way; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents; brothers, Maurice, Russell, and David; children, Barbara Jean, and two still born sons; and grandchild, Jordan.

For online tributes and further information, please visit www.ParkerKohlFuneralHome.com