Rosella Goettelman

Rosella “Rosie” Goettelman, age 86, of Decorah, IA, died on Thursday, September 19, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 23, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, 302 West Broadway, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Laura Arnold presiding. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa. Friends may call from 2:00-4:00 p.m., on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, Iowa, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Monday morning. Rosella “Rosie” Lillian (Ansten) Goettelman was born on February 13, 1927, the daughter of Henry and Inga (Myran) Ansten in Madison Township, Decorah, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at the Madison Lutheran Church. She attended rural school in Madison Township and graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1945. In 1945, she attended the summer session at Luther College and received her teaching certificate. She taught for three terms in rural schools near Decorah. On June 6, 1948, Rosie married Virgil Goettelman at the Madison Lutheran Church. They were blessed with two daughters, Sharon in 1950 and Eileen in 1952. Rosie enjoyed sewing, bird watching, crossword puzzles, genealogy and Norwegian translating. She translated six books for Sigdalslag; several items for Washington Prairie Lutheran Church and various letters, obituaries and information for others. She had traced her ancestry back into the 1200’s in some branches. Rosie is survived by her two daughters: Sharon (Curt) Buhr, Lake of the Ozarks, MO, and Eileen (Byron) Meyer, Postville, IA. Four grandchildren: Stacey Meyer, Santa Barbara, CA; Bradley (Rachel) Meyer, Central City, IA; Kristi Mundy and her fiancé, Jason Miller, Des Moines, IA; and Scott Buhr, Des Moines, IA. Two great grandchildren: Nora Mundy and Zane Meyer. One sister: Gladys (E. Art) Varon, Camarillo, CA. One sister-in-law: Jane Severide, Cedar Rapids, IA. One brother-in-law: Carl Cash, Alexandria, KY, and several nieces and nephews. Rosie was preceded in death by her parents: Henry and Inga (Myran) Ansten. Her husband: Virgil Goettelman on September 7, 2009. Two sisters: Malene Cash and Hazel (Oscar) Skaim. One brother: Telford Ansten. Her father and mother-in-law: Charles and Mabel (Bolger) Goettelman. Two brothers-in-law: Floyd (Vera) Goettelman and Robert (Freda) Goettelman.