Rosemary Petrich
Rosemary Helen Petrich, 74, of Staples, passed away on March 20, 2024, at Lakewood Health System, Staples.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.
Interment will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Staples.
Rosemary was born December 12, 1949, in Staples, to Frank and Pauline (Sweet) Nelson. She graduated from Staples High School in 1968.
She married her best friend, Reggie Petrich on June 1, 1968, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. They lived in Fridley and Circle Pines, where they raised their two children, Paul and Michael. Rosemary stayed home with the boys until they started school and then began her 30-year career with Benson/Twin City Optical in Staples, retiring in 2010. After retirement she enjoyed volunteering at the Staples Food Shelf.
Rosemary had many adventures with Reggie - he would pick her up after work to go fishing at Mille Lacs or Leech Lake, where she would out fish him many times with her drop and pull method. They were long-time volunteers at “Back to the 50’s” car show and attended car shows across the state. Rosemary always looked forward to Staples Railroad Days and the penny auction. If you knew her, you quickly realized she was lucky. She seemed to win every raffle and drawing. Her secret to winning may have been that, if she won money, she gave one third back to the church.
Rosemary enjoyed spending time with her family at Dead Lake and Lake Osakis, where she loved to sit by the lake and read books.
Bringing her the most joy was following her boys’ and grandchildren’s sports.
Rosemary and Reggie were members of the Staples Wrestling Club and attended every wrestling match and football game. She continued to be an avid sports fan of her grandchildren, following Staples-Motley football, wrestling, baseball, track and field, CLC and Bemidji State Football. She even became an Osakis fan, following football, track and Prairie Centre Hockey.
She was especially looking forward to meeting her first great-grandchild in May.
Rosemary will be lovingly remembered by her family for her mashed potatoes, spritz cookies and the over-abundance of gifts (including socks) at Christmas.
Left to cherish her memory are beloved husband of 55 years, Reggie; two sons, Paul (Kathy) Petrich and Michael (Greta) Petrich; seven grandchildren, Blake (Brooke) Petrich, Miranda Petrich, Kimberli Kronenberg, Adam Petrich, Issac Kronenberg, Jack Petrich and Steven Petrich; many nieces and nephews and three sisters, Juanita (Richard) Allee, Patronel (Gary) Steinke and Dorothy Hall.
Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings, Ruthie Hanson, Ronnie Nelson, Pauline Beach, Frances Winter, Elnora Dempsey, Jimmy Nelson and Chuck Nelson.
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