Rosemary Rosendahl

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 3:24 pm

Rosemary Rosendahl, 83, of Ridgeway, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. Services were at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, with Pastor Jeff Hansen officiating. Organist was Judy Hovden. Soloists were Elea Uhl (“On Eagles’ Wings,” “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Goin’ Home”) and Theresa Lynch (“May the Roads Rise Up”). “Here I Am Lord” also was sung. Casket bearers were Rosemary’s grandchildren Interment was at Lincoln Cemetery in Ridgeway. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Rosemary Joan (Hove) Rosendahl was born May 20, 1932, the daughter of Oran and Aleda (Hovden) Hove on a farm near Decorah. Rosemary was baptized June 5, 1932, at First Lutheran in Decorah and confirmed May 19, 1946, at Lincoln Lutheran. Rosemary attended elementary school in Cresco, followed by one year of country school south of Ridgeway. She graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1950. Rosemary was united in marriage to Lyle Rosendahl Sept. 24, 1950, at the Lincoln Lutheran Church. Together they operated a family farm — milking cows, raising livestock and growing crops. In 1980, Rosemary was volunteered by her husband Lyle to temporarily operate the Cow Palace Restaurant located at the Winneshiek Coop Sale Barn in Decorah. This restaurant, along with the one she later operated at the Decorah Sales Commission, became legendary for delicious hamburgers, homemade pies and fresh cinnamon rolls. Diners often waited for a seat at the crowded restaurant. After many years of cooking and baking, Rosemary retired from the restaurant business in 2007. Whether it was being at home on the farm, working at the restaurant, enjoying a meal out, going on a Sunday drive, or traveling to Arizona, Rosemary cherished having her family by her side. Rosemary was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church and the Ridgeway Birthday Club.

Rosemary is survived by her two daughters, Roxann Brown, Denver and Kris (Jim) Lynch, Decorah; five grandchildren: Nathaniel Knut (Molly) Brown, Spencer, Emily Lynch, Rochester, Minn., Abby (Drew) Sears, Cedar Falls, Andrew (fiancé Emily Zeien) Brown, Denver and Molly Lynch, Independence; three great-grandchildren: Hallie and Maia Brown and Livia Sears; one sister, Beverly (Charlie Miller) Bakken, Cresco; one sister-in-law, Carol (Sonny) Harland, Harmony, Minn.; one brother-in-law, Dennis (Sue) Rosendahl, Phoenix, Ariz.; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.    

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Oran and Aleda (Hovden) Hove; her husband, Lyle Rosendahl, May 21, 2009; one daughter, Kathrine Aleda Rosendahl, Aug. 21, 1959; one son-in-law, Larry Brown, April 29, 2008; her father- and mother-in-law, Olger and Rose Rosendahl; two brothers-in-law, Gordon Rosendahl and John Bakken.