Rosemary Menard

Rosemary Elaine Menard, age 90, of Crookston, MN, died Monday morning, October 20, 2014, at RiverView Health in Crookston, with members of her family at her side. Rosemary was born on June 10, 1924 at Dickinson, ND, the daughter of John L. and Anna (Kampa) Gauer. She grew up in Dickinson where she was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church; attended St. Patrick's Elementary School, and was a 1941 graduate of Dickinson Central High School. Rosemary next attended the College of St. Benedict at St. Joseph, MN, and then enrolled in the St. Cloud (MN) School of Nursing. She received her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1945. From 1942 until 1945 she also served with the Cadet Nurse Corps in St. Cloud in support of our nation during WWII. Rosemary's first position as an RN was at St. Vincent's Hospital in Crookston. On April 26, 1948 she was united in marriage to a young man Crookston man, Joseph Burke Menard. The ceremony took place at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dickinson. Rosemary and Burke made their home in Crookston and together raised six sons and a daughter. After working as a surgical nurse at Crookston's Bethesda Hospital for several years, Rosemary became the head nurse on the surgical floor of St. Francis Hospital in Crookston. From 1971 until her retirement in 1994 Rosemary was a home health care nurse for Polk County Nursing Service. Professionally, she was appointed by the State Board of Nursing to the Task Force for the Ladder Concept of Nursing Education, and also served on the Task Force for the Implementation of the Ombudson Program for the Elderly. Rosemary and Burke enjoyed many golden years spending time with family and friends. Sadly, Burke passed away on July 29, 2003, and their oldest son, Michael, died unexpectedly on July 13, 2011, after a brief illness. With the strength gained through her faith, Rosemary continued to persevere. Her favorite pastimes included reading, flower gardening, and writing poetry. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit, and time spent in conversation with her was sure to be a highlight of the day. Rosemary was a devoted member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish, where she sang in the Cathedral and Resurrection Choirs, and also held memberships with the Catholic Daughters, American Legion Auxiliary, the Ministry of Befrienders, the Cursillo Movement of the Diocese of Crookston, and was an Oblate of the Sisters of St. Benedict Monastery at St. Joseph, MN. Rosemary's family and many friends will remember her with great love and affection. Blessed be her memory. Rosemary is survived by her five sons and daughter: Tim Menard of Crookston, MN, John Menard and wife, Patricia Kent, of St. Paul, MN, Mark Menard and wife, Sheila, of Crookston, James Menard of Buffalo, MN, Patrick Menard and wife, Doris, of St. Cloud, MN, and Margot Reps and husband, Michael, of Oak Grove, MN; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Pearl Gauer of Havre, MT; a brother-in-law, Curt Hendrickson of Crookston; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to Burke, her beloved husband of 55 years, and son, Michael, Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna Gauer; brothers, Gervase and John Gauer; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Fred "Fritz" and Donna Menard, Harriet Hendrickson, and Lilah and Ervin "Hap" Tiedeman. The Mass of Christian Burial for Rosemary Elaine Menard will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Friday, October 24, 2014, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Visitation will be at the Cathedral on Thursday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and also at the church for one hour before the funeral. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Crookston. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given in Rosemary's name to the Cathedral School, Care and Share, North Country Food Bank, or Polk County Humane Society. Online registry:



www.stenshoelhouske.com



Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Service
Friday, October 24, 2014
cemetery
Friday, October 24, 2014