Rosemary Gunderson

Rose cherished her family dearly, especially her ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She always remembered and celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and special events for each of them. Rose welcomed family and guests into her home, and always took the time for kids games. She was an excellent cook, and enjoyed preparing restaurant quality dining at home for all holidays and special occasions.

Her keen sense of style pervaded in everything she did. Rose’s home was always tastefully decorated in an eclectic elegance, incorporating beautiful design elements that varied with the times.

She also had a whimsical side in her decorating scheme, such as keeping a statue of a duck (whom she named “Aflac”) that she dressed in holiday apparel depending on the season. She always dressed in fashionable clothing, even for routine daily chores, such as grocery shopping on Wednesdays, or even volunteering her time to make pasties with the Ishpeming VFW Auxiliary the last Tuesday of every month. She felt it was important to look her best, every day.

Rose, and her husband “Duke”, the love of her life for 63 years, took great pleasure in celebrating life’s important occasions and milestones by dining at elegant restaurants wherever they travelled. They both loved automobile racing, and took vacation time to watch the Indianapolis 500 race for many years. She was her son Steve’s biggest fan for the years he raced in the local stock car circuit. She was an active Auxiliary member at VFW Post 4573 in Ishpeming for nearly 20 years. She also loved birds and had many bird pictures and ornaments gracing her home. The dogs she had in her life were loved, pampered, and spoiled, particularly her Doberman Pinscher, “Dillon”, given to her by her son, Chuck. She was known for her quick wit, keen sense of observation, kindness, and considerate personality. Her family will dearly miss her.

Rose is preceded in death by husband, Larry and sister, Teresa Sonnemann of Menominee Falls, WI,

Rosemary is survived by her five children, Mary, Steve, Greg, Monica, and Charles, and her sister, Henrietta (Merton, WI).

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 24th at St. Ignatius Church in St. Ignace, MI.