Rosemarie Herlitzke

Rosemarie Herlitzke, 97, passed away peacefully December 16, 2020 at Bluffview Memory Care surrounded by her loving children.

She was born July 10, 1923, in La Crosse to Joseph and Elsie (LeJeune) Strasser. She married Clarence Herlitzke on June 18, 1946 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and enjoyed 66 years of marriage before his death on June 3, 2012. She was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Church, attending Holy Trinity School and Aquinas High School (1940). She always looked forward to the 1936 Holy Trinity class reunions. She worked at F.W. Woolworth Co., Ohland’s Ben Franklin, Alden’s Catalog Store and retired from Montgomery Ward.

Rosemarie’s family meant the world to her and she loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Rosemarie is survived by her children Larry Herlitzke of Stoddard and Lynette (Thomas) Sheffer of Holmen; Six grandchildren, who were very special to her, Jennifer (Robert) Sawicki, Kevin (Sarah) Sheffer, Jeffery (Tracy) Herlitzke, Jason (Cheri) Herlitzke, Timothy (Melissa) Sheffer, and Pamela (Paul) Samec; Thirteen great-grandchildren, that she always looked forward to seeing, Ashley, Brandon, and Justin Sawicki, Chloe and Cora Herlitzke, Hudson Herlitzke, William, Harrison and Leona Samec, Elias and Hudson Sheffer, and Graham and Drew Sheffer; One step grandchild Nancy (Todd) Wright; Five step great-grandchildren; Three step great-great-grandchildren; brothers in-law Paul (Joyce) Herlitzke and Louis Herlitzke, sisters-in-law Beverly Strasser and Venita Arttus; nieces and nephews; and special friends who continued to reach out to her at Bluffview; Jim and Donna Spangler, Cindy Herlitzke, Delia Bina, Kathy Ashland, Lori Herlitzke, Jessica Davis and Gary Peterson.

Rosemarie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clarence; brothers, LeRoy, Sylvester, and Clarence Strasser; brothers-in-law Lloyd and Eugene Herlitzke; sisters-in-law Leona and Evelyn Herlitzke, Florence and Fern Strasser; daughter-in-law Jennie Herlitzke; step grandchild Susan Kromke; and her special friends Irene Peterson and Dolores Kallenbach.

The family would like to thank: Dr. Mary Bassing and Kathleen Germain, NP for their compassionate care they gave Rosemarie these past years as she battled dementia; the Bluffview Memory Caregivers for their love and support; and to the Brian and Diane Collins family who were supportive neighbors to her and Clarence.

Private services are going to be held at this time. Rev. Larry Berger will officiate with burial to be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, La Crosse. Wis. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

To honor her love for children, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the La Crosse Children’s Museum or The Parenting Place in her name.

Once upon a memory someone wiped away a tear, held me close, loved me. Thank You, Mother Dear.

Memorial Service will be planned in 2021.