Nov. 16, 1927 — Nov. 24, 2016
LEDYARD — A funeral Mass for Rose Marie Gelhaus will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard with the Rev. Sunny Dominic officiating. Burial will be in Highland Home Cemetery in Ledyard.
Rose Marie McDonald was born Nov. 16, 1927, the sixth of 10 children of John “Jack” and Ella (Murray) McDonald. She grew up in Grant Township and Ledyard. She attended Ledyard High School, graduating in 1945. Rose married Virgel Gelhaus at Sacred Heart Rectory on Sept. 29, 1951. They celebrated 60 years of marriage.
At the age of 16, she started a 42-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. She retired in 1986. Rose was an avid reader and prolific letter-writer. Many family and friends were fortunate to receive correspondence from her. Rose had a strong faith, which was exemplified in her daily life. Rose was a compassionate and friendly woman, known for her generosity and shy smile. Her Irish eyes are smilin’.
Rose Marie died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, at her home in Ledyard, where she cherished spending time with her family. Rose celebrated 89 years on Nov. 16.
She is survived by her 12 children, six sons and six daughters: Randy (Michaeleen) Gelhaus of Bremerton, Wash., Mary (friend Clarion Reece) Gelhaus of Ledyard, Molly Geiger of St. George, Utah, Rodney (Loretta) Gelhaus of Livonia, Mich., Ricky (Teresa) Gelhaus of Coon Rapids, Rolly (Margaret) Gelhaus of Severn, Md., Robby (Joy) Gelhaus of Lakota, Roy (Sheila) of Forest City, Marcy (Brian) Gotz of Marshfield, Wis., Mindy Gelhaus of Ledyard, Roy (Sheila) of Forest City, Margy (Marcus) Hendrickson of Mankato, Minn., and Marty Gelhaus of Arlington, Va. Rose is also survived by 25 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Patricia Jorgensen and Ellen (James) Kennedy, sisters-in-law Evelyn McDonald, Phyllis McDonald and Joann McDonald, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rose was welcomed into her Heavenly home by her husband Virgel, an infant son, her parents, son-in-law Michael Geiger, five brothers: William, Joseph, Dennis, James, and Francis and two sisters: Mary Ellen and Doris, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Oakcrest Funeral Services of Bancroft in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.