Rosa K. Gelder

Rosa K. Gelder, 103, of St. Joseph, passed away, Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Temple Bethel Cemetery in Benton Harbor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caretel Inns Arlington House, Hospice at Home, Temple B’nai Shalom, St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, Hadassah, or Maude Preston Palenske Memorial Library. Those wishing to sign Rosa’s Memory Book online may do so at www.stark-menchinger.com. Rosa was born February 8, 1910 in Edgerton, Wisconsin to William & Bessie (Krupp) Kritt. The family moved to Benton Harbor, where she graduated high school in 1927 as Salutatorian. Rosa worked for the family business, Kritt’s Grocery in Benton Harbor. On February 17, 1935, she married Maurice B. Gelder in Benton Harbor. Rosa devoted her life to caring for her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a member of Temple B’nai Shalom & Hadassah, and volunteered her time at Mercy Hospital and Maude Preston Palenske Memorial Library. Rosa enjoyed reading, baking, playing bridge and spending time with her family. Rosa is survived by her daughters-Sondra (Al) Levin of Benton Harbor, Cindy (Andrew) Burch of St. Joseph; six grandchildren-Beth (Sandi Jo Malmon) Levin, Bruce (Donna) Levin, Jonathan (Ronda) Levin, Micah (Natalie) Burch, Joshua (Rebecca) Burch, Miriam (Rob Phillips) Burch; thirteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers-Ben & Jake Kritt, two sisters-Lillian Milan & Faye Skolnik, and her husband Maurice on July 21, 1989.