NESS, Rosemary E., age 82

Died: Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2014 at Hope Lutheran Church (on the corner of Starr Avenue and Eddy Lane) with Reverend Rick Lund officiating

Visitation: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hope Lutheran Church and also 1 hour prior to service on Monday

Interment: Bloomer Cemetery, Bloomer, Wisconsin

Due to pollen allergies, the family requests memorials be given in lieu of flowers

Rosemary Elizabeth Ann Ness, age 82, of Eau Claire died on April 2, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire following a short journey with cancer.

Rosemary was born on December 4, 1931 to the late Frederick W. and Dora M. (Martin) Meier in Bloomer, Wisconsin. She grew up in Bloomer being baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and graduated from Bloomer High School in 1949. Rosemary received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1953 and then taught 1^st grade in Wausau for one year. On July 17, 1954 she was united in marriage, to her sailor, Harlan E. Ness, in Bloomer at St. John's Lutheran Church. While Harlan completed his service in the Navy, she taught a combination of 2^nd and 3^rd grade in Norfolk, VA. In 1955, they moved to Rice Lake where Rosemary gave piano lessons, played church organ, and where daughter, Julie was born. In 1960, Rosemary and Harlan moved frequently due to his work in retail, living in Spencer, IA (where Jennae was born), Dubuque, IA, Jamestown, ND, Huron, SD and then back to their hometown of Bloomer, finally settling in Eau Claire in 1968.

As a junior in high school, Rosemary began playing the church organ at St. John's and continued playing during her college years. She played church organ in Rice Lake, Spencer, Dubuque, Jamestown, the Eau Claire area and at Hope Lutheran Church. She shared her love of music teaching many beginning piano students over the years. She loved to knit, stitch, and quilt projects for church and her family. She loved taking care of her family.

As a very active member of Hope Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, she not only played the organ for Sunday services and funerals, she also accompanied the choir, participated in bible study circles, served many officer positions with the Hope Lutheran Church Women, and made numerous quilts and prayers shawls with the quilting and knitting groups. She was also active in the Amvets Auxiliary in Chippewa Falls.

Rosemary is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harlan of Eau Claire; daughters, Julie (Brian) Petersen of Eau Claire and Jennae (Jeff) Giles of Ashland, WI; grandchildren, Jennifer (Andrew) Twist of Bentonville, AR, Jonathan Giles of Ashland, Brandon Petersen of Eau Claire, Jason Giles of Ashland, Jocelyn Petersen of Eau Claire; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Roy (Goldeen) Meier and great granddaughter, Baby Twist.