September 29, 1914
- August 24, 2009
Marie Rosgen passed away at St. Mary’s Health Care Centre, Trochu, Alberta on August 24, 2009 at the age of ninety-four years. She was born to Patrick and Mary Mahoney September 20, 1914 on their homestead in the Michichi area north of Drumheller. She attended Mount Carmel Country School and following High School in Munson, she trained at the Holy Cross Hospital, Calgary and graduated in 1936 as a Registered Nurse. Marie practiced her profession in Drumheller Hospital and in 1938 she married Wilfred Rosgen from Munson where they met and belonged to the same parish. The following spring they moved to the Huxley area and grain farmed. Shortly after, they bought land and moved to a farm west of Three Hills. In 1945, they purchased another farm and relocated five miles south of town in the Gumbo district where they resided for the rest of their farming years. Marie and Wilf worked side by side raising grain crops and livestock. In the mid fifties they and their four children ventured into the purebred Hereford cattle business. It was rewarding for her to meet other cattlemen from other parts of Canada, the U.S., and abroad and to have them sit down at her table. She treasured those memories and friendships that endured over the years. Always a natural caregiver and nurturer to her family, Marie made sure everyone was well fed and cared for when sick. If it was cold or windy, she was sure to hand you a toque as you were heading out the door and made sure you wore it too. She was always cooking and baking for the many relatives and friends who visited. We were all especially fond of her homemade baked buns and no one was ever disappointed if they ate at Marie’s. She served full course meals to those working in the fields throughout the four farming seasons, whether it was seeding, summer fallowing, haying or harvesting time. It was a humourous moment the time she forgot forks and Wilf had to eat his dinner with a screwdriver. This also applied to the Hereford cattle the Rosgens raised when she prepared their grain rations fresh daily and packed them into five gallon pails to be ready for the next feeding. The bulls for sale were fed extra special with boiled barley, flavoured with molasses which was added to their feed. The aroma of boiling barley from the basement was something we all had to get used to. When her grandchildren began arriving, she often said she had waited a long time to become a grandmother and it was quite apparent her life was complete with her new role and duties. Marie always made sure the family said their evening prayers and went to Mass on Sunday even when the roads were bad. Her sense of humour was evident every day and contagious as she seems to have passed it on down at least a couple of generations. She had a flair for colour and fashion, especially with her collection of hats and decorative scarves. The day wasn’t complete unless her hair was done and her lipstick applied. This was reflected in her desire to look her best and her encouraging others to do the same. Although she loved to work she also liked to have fun. Dancing was one of her favourite activities and playing cards at the Three Hills Rural was another. In later years she enjoyed taking the Senior Bus Tours around Alberta with her friends. Also, she had treasured times travelling with daughter Dianne to various destinations in Eastern Canada, the West Coast as well as points in Alaska, California and Hawaii. In 2003 Marie moved to Porchlight Village in Three Hills and resided there for three years. In 2006 she took up residence at St. Mary’s Health Care Centre in Trochu where she spent the final phase of her life. Marie is survived by her three daughters Lorraine (Bob), Sharon (Tom), Dianne (Jack), daughter-in-law Barb, and sister Annice. She will be lovingly remembered by her eight grandchildren - Kirk, Mark (Brandi), Greg (Lynnette), Marina (Don), Bradford, David, Kate, Warren and five great grandchildren - Braelynn, Alexa, Rhett, Kiefer and Ella. She will also be missed by sisters-in-law Pat, Ruby, Lenore, Virginia and Nellie as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. She was predeceased by her father Pat (1946) and mother Mary (1980), her husband Wilfred (1985), her only son Peter (2007), infant grandson Kelly (1963), sister Helen (1975), brothers Raymond (1979) and Hubert (1993). The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to her many care givers and later to the dedicated staff at Trochu’s St. Mary’s Health Care Centre where their support, compassion and friendship meant a great deal to Marie and her family. Prayer services were held on Thursday, August 27, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Three Hills. Funeral Mass was held on Firday, Aug. 28 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann of The Prairies, Catholic Church, Trochu. Interment followed in St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery, Three Hills. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to St. Mary’s Health Care Centre, Trochu. Kneehill Funeral Services Ltd., entrusted with arrangements. 403-443-5111.
