Rosemary “Rosie” Ostendorf

Rosemary “Rosie” Ostendorf, age 69 of Melrose and formerly of New Munich, died peacefully, with her family by her side on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Her strong will to live, faith in God, and the love and prayers of family and friends carried her through her courageous 6 month battle with lymphoma cancer.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, February 9 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Dan Walz officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Rosemary Ostendorf was born March 2, 1946 in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Marie (Rosen) Thell. She grew up on a family farm southeast of Grey Eagle. She was a graduate of Grey Eagle High School in 1964. After graduation, she went to work in Minneapolis for Bemis Bag Company. She then worked in St. Cloud at J.C. Penney. On April 30, 1966 she married Marvin “Bud” Ostendorf at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. Bud and Rosie took over the family business, Ostendorf’s Grocery in New Munich, from his parents John and Katherine (Vos) Ostendorf. She was in the grocery business for 33 years and worked at Kohl’s in St. Cloud for 22 years.
Rosie was a people person; she always enjoyed working with her customers and valued those relationships. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved decorating, sewing, dancing, baking, bowling, dominoes, Bingo, playing cards “65”, shopping, and going out to eat. Rosie also enjoyed taking bus trips to the casino. She loved entertaining her family and friends the most.
Rosie was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Ann’s Christian Women, Catholic United Financial, and the New Munich Lions. She was a Eucharistic Minister since 1978 and was a past board member for Melrose Community Health Care Foundation.
Survivors include her husband, Marvin “Bud” Ostendorf of Melrose; children, Michael “Ozzie” Ostendorf (friend, Audri) of Waite Park, Kim (Jerome) Duevel of Melrose, Todd (LeAnn) Ostendorf of Melrose; three grandchildren, Morgan Ostendorf, Andrew Ostendorf, Jonathan Ostendorf; brothers and sisters, Doris (Hilary) Mayers of Fridley, Alice (Tom) Wiechmann-Studer of St. Wendel, Arnie (Betty) Thell of St. Cloud, Jim Thell (friend, Kelly) of Waite Park, Karen (Bob) Weidner of St. Cloud; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Rosie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Thell; and brother-in-law, Richard “Rich” Wiechmann.
Serving as casket bearers were Leon Mayers, Dan Weidner, Chris Wiechmann, Mark Ostendorf, John Ostendorf, Gregg Simonson. Cross bearer was Jayla Schloegl and scripture bearer was Sherry Welliver. Gift bearers were Lori Koester, Gail Davis, and Beth Terning. Lector was Mary Krueger. Eulogy was read by Gregg Simonson. Honorary bearers were the St. Anne’s Christian Women and the New Munich Lions.