In Memory of Sister Rosanne Rottinghaus
February 19, 1933 – January 15, 2021
Sister Mary Rosanne Rottinghaus, 87, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Gudenkauf), was born Rose Marie Rottinghaus on February 19, 1933, in Dougherty, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation from Charles City, Iowa, on September 8, 1951, and professed her perpetual vows on June 10, 1957.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Loras College and served as music teacher and parish liturgist in Algona, Cedar Falls, Clare, Key West, Dubuque, Fairbank, Humboldt, Marion and Whittemore, all in Iowa, and in Timber Lake, South Dakota. She was also a pastoral associate in Osage, Iowa. Reflecting on her years of ministry, she said, “I found each of these areas very satisfying. People were so supportive and grateful.”
Sister Rosanne retired to Mount Loretto in 2000, where she appreciated living a more contemplative life and spending time with her siblings (Sisters Michael (2007) and Anthony (2014)). The three sisters kept the Mount Loretto dining room decorated for the seasons and celebrations. Sister Rosanne also appreciated her community sisters, especially the elderly and ailing. She celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2011. Sister Rosanne valued prayer and community service and had a special gift for music.
Surviving are her brother Joseph (Delores), sisters-in-law Theresa (Raymond) Rottinghaus and Dixie (James) Rottinghaus, many beloved nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation, with whom she shared her life for 69 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Winifred (John) Merfeld, Mary Catherine (Robert) Clark, Sister Mary Michael (Henrietta) Rottinghaus, and Sister Mary Anthony (Frances) Rottinghaus and her brothers Anthony “Bud”, Raymond, Raphael, and James.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, or online at www.dbqpbvms.org.
- Enjoy Sister Rosanne’s Sister Spotlight on the importance of community.
- Read Sister Rosanne’s article in the Presentation Doorways.
