Rosemary “Rosie” Rolfes, 90, of St. Cloud, formerly of Freeport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Dec. 21, 2024, at Talamore Senior Living in St. Cloud.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Dec. 27, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with the Rev. Daniel Walz officiating and the Rev. Bob Rolfes concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Rosemary Kerfeld was born Dec. 8, 1934, in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, to Joseph and Bertha (Klassen) Kerfeld. She was united in marriage to Anthony “Tony” Rolfes May 3, 1954, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. The couple lived in St. Cloud until they bought a farm near Freeport in 1966. During that time, Rosie worked at Fingerhut in Sauk Centre and at Kraft in Melrose. In 1990, Rosie and Tony retired and moved permanently to their vacation home on Horseshoe Lake in Mission Township. During retirement, Rosie did volunteer work and babysat her grandchildren. In 2011, Rosie moved to St. Cloud and lived at St. Benedict’s Center and most recently at Talamore Senior Living.
She was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport and Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake, where she belonged to the Christian Mothers in both churches. Rosie enjoyed word finds, gardening and vacationing with her husband and sisters.
Survivors include her children, Dan (Pam) Rolfes of St. Joseph, David “Butch” (Deb) Rolfes of Albany, Cindy (Marc) Sheldon of Rush City, Mary (Gary “Scoob”) Sunderman of St. Joseph; Kevin (Ann) Rolfes of Twin Falls, Idaho, and John (Meg) Rolfes of Bennett, Colorado; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters Kathryn (Harry) Elfering of Melrose, Jim (Kathy) Kerfeld of Sauk Centre, Sylvester “Dick” (Kerry) Kerfeld of Merrifield, Bernie Ostendorf of St. Cloud, and Ann (Mike) Hiltner of St. Cloud; and sisters-in-law Mary Ann Kerfeld of Sartell and Dorothy “Dottie” Kerfeld of Waite Park.
Rosie was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Rolfes May 24, 2002; parents; granddaughter Cassandra “Cassie” Rolfes; and brothers Will Kerfeld and Tony Kerfeld.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Freeport.
