Rosella Smith

Rosella “Rosie” Smith, 98, of Windom, died in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 6, at Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial Nursing Home in Windom. Her funeral service will be on Friday, June 11, 10:30 AM, at First Presbyterian Church in Windom with the Rev. Pam Prouty officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Music provided by Anna Hochstein, granddaughter, and Keith Lohse, member of First Presbyterian Church. www.petersonbrothers.com

Casket bearers: grandsons Mike Smith, Terry Smith, Lane Smith Prekker, Drew Smith, Tim Smith, and David Claussen. Honorary pallbearer: grandson Ryan Claussen. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Windom, alongside husband Oscar O. Smith, with graveside service by Father Timothy Smith.

Rosella Adina Olfert was born October 26, 1922, to Henry A. and Helen (Niessen) Olfert in Mountain Lake, MN. She grew up with brother, Roland, and sister, Virginia, in Mountain Lake where she attended Country School. Rosie was baptized and confirmed at First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake. Rosie did housework in town and waitressed at a local café when she met her future husband, Oscar O. Smith. After the end of WWII and on December 21, 1945, they were united in marriage. The couple lived in Trimont, MN, for a short time before purchasing a farm northwest of Windom. During their marriage, they were blessed with five children. Rosie was a full-time mother and homemaker, always busy with gardening, canning, raising ducks and chickens, and more. When their children were older, Rosie worked as a waitress at Roger’s Café in Windom and helped Oscar in the Deputy Registrar’s Office.

Following Oscar’s death in 1971, Rosie continued to live on the farm for a year before moving into Windom. She worked at Beyers Drug for a few years as a clerk and, later, as a custodian for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for 12 years where she retired in 1986. At the age of 91, Rosie sold her home on River Road. In 2013, she moved into Remick Ridge’s facility where she continued to live independently for the next five years before entering assisted living at Mikkelsen Manor.

An active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Windom since 1951, Rosie served as Deaconess three times, was a member of the Missions Committee, volunteered in the kitchen whenever needed, and belonged to the Dorcas Circle. She especially enjoyed the music at First Presbyterian and, although she did not play the organ for the church, she enjoyed taking lessons and playing her organ at home. She was also a member of Amo Township Tuesday Club and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Rosie did beautiful hand embroidery and enjoyed knitting, quilting, crocheting, reading, gardening, trying new recipes, playing Bingo, and fishing for walleyes at their Lake of the Woods cabin. She was well-known for her delicious potato salad, Borscht (soup), and fresh (German) Zweiback rolls. She also enjoyed visiting with her friends and going to her afternoon coffee groups. She dearly loved all members of her family especially her grandchildren, cherishing the times she could spend with them.

Rosie was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar; her parents, Henry and Helen; her brother, Roland; and two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Naomi.

Rosie is survived by her five children: Chuck (Annette) Smith of Windom; Carl (Iris) Smith of Willmar; Helen (Sam) Stone of Duluth; Lucille (Roger) Williams of Hartford, WI; Dallas (Betty) Smith of Windom; 15 grandchildren (Shelly, Sherry, Mike, Terry, Lisa, Tim, Lane, Crystal, Amber, Laura, Ryan, David, Drew, Anna, Sondra); 42 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; additional family members; and her dear sister, Virginia (Ginny) Friesen of Mountain Lake. She will be lovingly missed by all.

Quotes from Rosie: Life is good if you don’t weaken. (and) Be kind to all.