Rosemary "Rosie" Klinkhammer

Rosemary Klinkhammer, known as Rosie, was born March 24, 1935, in Mahnomen, MN, to Rose (Schiprith) and Peter Neisen. She grew up in Mahnomen where she attended school and graduated with the class of 1952. Following high school, Rosie worked for a short time in Crookston, MN, and Hope, ND, before returning to Mahnomen. On September 29, 1956, Rosie was united in marriage to Alphonse Klinkhammer at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The couple made their home together in Mahnomen where they raised their family. Rosie worked at the ASCS office in Mahnomen and retired in 1994. During her 43 years of loyal employment for the USDA department, she met countless farmer friends and formed lifelong friendships with them and her co-workers. Al died on January 16, 2006, and Rosie remained in their home until the time of her death. Her character was one of great faith, strong will and courage. She was known by many to be both a classy and a sassy lady. Rosie enjoyed frequenting the Red Apple Café and traveling with her daughter. Together they were lucky enough to experience various places including Italy, Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean. When her son-in-law, Clay, entered her life the three of them continued their travels to such places as Arizona, Branson, and also took many week-end adventures. Rosie loved her family and her beloved dog, Chloe. They were inseparable for 16 years until Chloe’s passing on March 20th of 2015. Rosie had a caring heart and generous personality. She was never known to complain but rather she suffered silently and with dignity with cancer for 40 years and succumbed to the effects of taking treatment yet one more time. Up until her very last, she mouthed the words “I’m fine.” 36 of those 40 years were spent under the superb care and friendship of Dr. Ralph Levitt and are greatly appreciated by her family. Rosie passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at Sanford Palliative Care in Fargo, ND, with Judy, Clay, and Father Rick Lambert by her side. She was 80 years old. Rosie is survived by her children, Judy (Clay) Whittlesey, Fargo, ND, and Gary (Theresa) Klinkhammer, Mahnomen; five brothers: Edwin (Cora) Neisen, Cold Spring, MN, Peter (Dorothy) Neisen, Fargo, Urban “Butch” (Rita) Neisen, Ormsby, MN, James (Donna) Neisen, Vermillion, MN, and Donald (Jean) Neisen, Watkins, MN; sister-in-law, Irene Neisen, Mahnomen; two grandchildren, Brent and Lindsey (Jeremy) Sather; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and the many extended Klinkhammer family members. In addition to her husband, Al, Rosie was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Eletta McCollum and Bernice Ebnet; two brothers, Elroy Neisen and Jerome Neisen; three nephews: Scott Neisen, Christopher Neisen, and Doug Neisen; and one niece, Jean Ebnet. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, April 20, 2015 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be held at the church on Sunday, April 19th from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:00 followed by a Rosary. Interment will take place at St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery in Mahnomen.

Rosemary "Rosie" Klinkhammer

March 24, 1935 - April 16, 2015