Rosemary Von Riesen Obituary (1917 - 2014)

Rosemary Von Riesen, 96 years of age, of Lexington, KY, formerly of Beatrice passed away in Lexington Saturday morning, January 25, 2014. She was born November 9, 1917 in Beatrice to Charles and Elsie (Awtry) Brazelton. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1935 and was married to John Von Riesen on May 4, 1942. Rosemary was a lifelong resident of Beatrice until moving to Kentucky in August of 2013. She was an active member of Christ Church Episcopal, serving as a Sunday School teacher, clerk of the vestry, secretary of St. Mary's Altar Guild, president of St. Elizabeth's Guild, and president of the United Episcopal Churchwomen. In addition, she was District President of the Episcopal Churchwomen, Vice President of the Diocesan Episcopal Churchwomen, Chairman of the Diocesan Christian Social Relations, and a member of the board of St. Mary's Home for Women. She also served her community as President of the YWCA Board, President of BPO Does #10, President of the Gage County Extension Board, and as a 4-H leader. She was also the founder of the Beatrice Rose Society, a member of the Federated Women's Club, and a member of the Beatrice Library Board. Rosemary was selected as woman of the year by the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce, appointed Admiral of the Nebraska Navy by Governor Mike Johanns, and was made a lifetime member of the Beatrice Library Foundation. She is survived by her daughter, Judy (Jerry) Seebach of Lexington, KY; her two sons, Dan (Lois) Von Riesen of Leland, NC, and Tom (Sandy) Von Riesen of Omaha, NE; her grandchildren, John (Rosalyn) Seebach, Jeff (Jennifer) Seebach, Julia Von Riesen, T.J. Von Riesen, and her great grandson, Bryson Seebach. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Elsie (Awtry) Brazelton; husband John (1998); and sister Bethene Burgett. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, January 31, 2014 at the Christ Church Episcopal in Beatrice with Pastor Gretchen Naugle and Reverend Kelley Petersen officiating. Interment will be at 1:00 PM Friday in the Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice. The body will lie in state Thursday from 10-9:00 and Friday until noon at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice and not at the church. A memorial has been established to the church and the Beatrice Library Foundation with the funeral home in charge. Sign Rosemary's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.