Rosie Muelken
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On February 15, 2017 @ 2:40 pm In 2017,Obituaries | 20 Comments
Rosie Muelken, a lifelong resident of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at the age of 87. A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2017 from 4:00 –7:00 PM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Xavier Goulet will preside and Peter Muelken, Kelsey Smith, Craig Carlson, Georgia Muelken, Charlie Juell and Patrick Bailey will act as pallbearers. Rosie will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.
On October 1, 1929, Rose Marie Cates was born to Earl and Catherine Cates. Rosie loved growing up in Prior Lake, and especially enjoyed fishing, playing in the trees and discovering fossils and collectable rocks.
A child of the depression, Rosie passed along an ethic of being happy with simple pleasures. She learned generosity from her mother Kit. Drifters from the nearby railroad tracks would arrive at their doorstep asking to trade work for a meal. They didn’t go away hungry. Rosie always had a soft spot in her heart for those who were down on their luck and needed a friend.
In her teen years, Rosie and her Auntie Alice set off on travels, driving across North America. Their journeys took them to Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and the Canadian Rockies, sparking her interest in travel and the world.
Rosie attended grade school in Prior Lake and graduated from Shakopee High School where she was the Valedictorian and Homecoming Queen for her class. After high school, Rosie attended a teacher’s college in Le Sueur. She earned her degree and began a teaching career.
George Muelken, Jr. “Spike,” a local boy, emerged as her true love. They were married on June 21, 1952. Just two weeks after their wedding, Spike was drafted to fight in the Korean War. While he was away for two years, Rosie continued to teach in the area, including schools in Credit River, Prior Lake, and Savage.
In the subsequent years, while raising six children, she occasionally found time to pursue her interest in gardening, reading, and studying local history. Rosie’s Celtic heritage came through in her love of words and writing poetry. She had an innate ability to create a poem on any topic at any time, which revealed her lively wit and sense of humor.
Always the teacher, Rosie instilled the value of life-long learning to her children. She often provided instruction on the wonders of the natural world and the peculiarities of human nature. She wanted her children to be independent thinkers. A classic quote from Rosie to her kids was “Don’t trust anyone, not even your mother.”
After Spike’s passing, Rosie moved into a home on the land her grandfather once farmed and to be near St. Michael’s Church. She attended church daily in later years and made rosaries for others with the Rosary Makers group.
Rosie was kind and loving. She was a strong woman with a gentle soul. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Connie (Scott) Carlson, Larry (Renee) Muelken, Susan (Chuck) Jahr, Judy (Dan) Bailey, John (Maureen) Muelken, and Carol (Brian) Juell; grandchildren, Craig (Yelena) Carlson, Cait (Brad) Tupa, Kelly (Anthony) Schumacher, Emily Muelken, Peter Muelken, Kelsey (Mitchell) Smith, Mary Bailey, Patrick Bailey, Brenna Bailey, Charlie Juell, Madeline Juell, Patrick Juell, Georgia Muelken, Ellen Muelken, Margaret Muelken, Monica Muelken; great-grandson, Theodore Smith; siblings, Kathleen (Henry) Schrader, Bill Cates, Jim (Pat) Cates, Larry (Betty) Cates; sisters-in-law, Arlene Cates and Nancy Simon; other loving relatives and many dear friends. Rosie was greeted in Heaven by her husband, George “Spike” Muelken; parents, Earl & Catherine Cate; siblings, Anna Mae Ryan and Jack Cates.
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Muelken Family,
Sorry to hear that you lost your mom! It is never easy to loose the rock of the Family! Thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Cliff, Meg, Austin and Derek
Rosie’s Family,
It’s so very hard to say goodbye to your Mom but as you all know you will see her again some day. Find comfort in knowing that she is at peace and that you now have another angle looking out for you. Think and speak of her often, share those wonderful stories you all have of her. God Bless you all, especially as you go through these most difficult days. We will be sending our thoughts, prayers, and hugs to each of you.
Becky (Radanke) & Ahmed
To the Muelken family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Rosie was a sweet and gentle soul who will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved her. May you find comfort in each other and the memories you share.
God bless and love to you all,
Michelle Cates.
In the mid-80’s I was doing woodwork down there, and Rosie asked me to redo the finish on her kitchen cabinets. I offered to put a new front on the drawer you kids used to step on to get at the cookie jar – big gouge there from you cookie monsters! She said no way to that. Sentimental lady who deeply loved her kids, and that drawer was a daily reminder of those she held dear. It is so sad to lose Rosie. Love from Saskatoon.
To: The family of Rosie Muelken,
I am very saddened to hear about the passing of Rosie Muelken. I wish to express to the family of Rosie Muelken, especially her immediate family my deepest sympathy. I know Rosie will be missed by all those
who knew her. Things Rosie left undone must stay that way. Rosie Muelken, now belongs to the ages but
we liked it better when she belonged to us. She now lives on only in our memory. She is home she is free.
Be strengthened by the fact that she suffers no more. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family members as you mourn the loss of your beloved Rosie.
Sincerely,
Glynn A, Crooks
Member of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Connie, Scott and Families
I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your mom. I have really fun memories of a terrific lady. The Prior Lake party in heaven gained another angel. She and your Dad are dancing again! Love to all.
Vicky (Noel) Turner
I was very saddened to hear of Rosie’s passing and happy to hear that she was surrounded by much of her family , I hope that is a comfort to all. When I remember Rosie , I remember a ready smile and always a kind and gentle word. She is a great example of how to live life with dignity , grace , and humor. In this she will live on in all of us lucky enough to have known her. Love and strength to all our family. Love Barb.
Muelken and Cates families
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Rosie was able to visit our family here in Canada several times through the years. These were always very special occasions full of fun and laughter. For my parents Bill and Donna in particular there was nothing finer than having visitors from ‘back home’. Rosie helped create many wonderful memories. She will be missed by so many of us. Our deepest condolences.
Steve and Jackie
Connie and family I,m so sorry about your mom, your family is in our thoughts and prayers I know so well what your going through….
Connie and family,
So very sorry to read about your mom’s passing. Hoping that all of the wonderful memories you have with her will get you through this very difficult time.
May peace be with all of you
Pam(Green) Busse
To all of Rosie’s Family,
What a wonderful family Rosie is leaving. My sympathies to all of you. I hope you find peace and acceptance in looking around to those she has left behind. You are all a wonderful tribute to her. Prayers and hugs,
God speed Aunt Ro. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dorothy (Dolly), Arnljot, Ben and Mari
Dear Connie and All of the Muelken Family,
So sorry to learn of Rosie’s passing. Losing your parents is hard (even if it’s not a surprise). I miss my mom and think of her every day. So, I’m thinking of you, saying prayers and holding you in my heart.
Susan Stolarcek
Hugs to all the Muelken’s and Cates families and extended family. Cherish memories. Keep traditions. Laugh and cry and laugh some more.
Mom’s always know best. Listen. She will always be speaking with you. She will be in the beautiful sunrise; sunsets; falling leaves; found pennies; in the stars and in the silence.
Rest peacefully Rosie.
Jack and I are so saddened to hear about Rosie…she was a WONDERFUL lady…she was Jacks teacher for a few years at the Credit River Country School….our Prayers are with the whole Muelken Family. ..
Dear Mullen Family,
What a beautiful tribute to your mother, mother in law, grandma and friend. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with your family.
Muelken Family~
Thinking of you at this time. Rosie was a terrific lady that I always admired. We were all so blessed to have known her!
To Rosie’s Family;
I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Eileen Loftus Kelly
Muelken Family,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are sent your way. May the memories you treasure and shared bring you peace and joy at this time.
Leanne Weyrauch
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Dear Muelken Family,
May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mom will be missed by all of you so deeply, and missed by all of us who cared about her so much. She was such a sweet and wonderful lady.
Blessings,
Gail McCormick and Family