Rosemary Regina Nelson

Rosemary Regina Nelson, 81, of South Haven, died Friday, October 25, 2013 at the River Ridge Retirement Community. She was born on March 9, 1932 to Edward and Catherine (Kolberg) Hartmann in Chicago, IL. She was a 1949 graduate of South Haven High School.   Rosemary married John W. Nelson on September 1, 1951 at St. Basil Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Basil Catholic Church for most of her adult life. Rosemary was taught piano and organ by her mother. She was self taught in guitar. Rosemary was very talented musically and shared her talents singing, playing piano and guitar. She also led liturgical music during guitar masses at St. Basils Church. Rosemary enjoyed sharing her talents at St. Basils Catholic School where she played with the students and helped at children’s liturgies.

Rosemary’s talents weren’t limited to music; she also enjoyed drawing. She made most of her own clothes most of her adult life as well as sewing for her children and grandchildren.

While in Florida, she mentored students at South Florida Community College so that they could be literate in speaking and understanding English for which she received several awards. She again shared her teaching talents at River Ridge by teaching a young guitarist. She also performed for the residents at River Ridge with a talented Hospice volunteer. Rosemary enjoyed sharing her many talents not only with her family but with people in the many different communities she lived in.

Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers – Pat Hartmann and Tom Hartmann and her sister – Margie Hartmann.

She is survived by her husband – John W. Nelson of South Haven, MI, her children – Christine Mosley of Allegan, MI, Eileen (Mike) Wigen of Rockford, MI, John  E. Nelson of Granger, IN, Michael (Nancy) Nelson of South Haven, MI, David (Jill) Nelson of Columbia City, IN and Ed (Phyllis) Nelson of ­­­Grand Junction.  Her brothers – Edward Hartmann of Kalamazoo, MI, John Hartmann of Dekalb, IL, David Hartmann of Spring Hill, FL, Jim Hartmann of Boca Raton, FL. Her sisters – Cathy VanderVeen of Kalamazoo, MI, Betty Kessler of Mahwah, NJ, Marie Kozal of Grand Rapids, MI, and Rita Rijavec of Morago, CA.  11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.  Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a scripture service starting at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM at St. Basil Catholic Church with Rev. Father Robert Flickinger officiating. Rosemary has donated her body for medical research. Her final resting place will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Basils School Fund or Hospice at Home.