Rosemarie Perschau

Rosemarie Louise Perschau, 94, formerly of Glencoe, Minnesota and Tucson, Arizona, died on January 25, 2022 at The Fountains Senior Living Community in Bettendorf, Iowa.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Rosemarie was born April 12, 1927 at home in Sibley County, Minnesota. She was the first child of Arnold and Elsie Schrupp. She married Frederick Robert Perschau on September 19, 1948 in Le Sueur, Minnesota.

Rosemarie received a diploma from St. Barnabas Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis and was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. She graduated in 1947 as a Registered Nurse in medical, surgical and obstetrical nursing. She loved working in obstetrics at Glencoe Hospital and general nursing at the Glencoe Medical Clinic. From 1968–1982, she enjoyed her employment as a school nurse at Central Schools, Norwood-Young America, Minnesota. Rosemarie was proud to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree from Metropolitan State University, Minnesota in 1977.

She and her husband were long-serving members of Faith Chapter O.E.S. in Glencoe and served as Worthy Matron and State Grand Warden, respectively.

Rosemarie was a volunteer for her children’s schools, scouting, and 4-H activities. She was an active member of the Minnesota and Arizona school health associations, and also played in bridge clubs. She loved music and played the flute in high school, as well as the piano and organ in later life.

In 1982 Rosemarie and Fred moved to Arizona after they retired from mink ranching, and she continued her work as a school nurse in the Cave Creek/Carefree Public Schools until 1995. She worked for 27 years in school nursing.

Rosemarie was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick, in 2003, parents, Arnold and Elsie; sister, Fayetta; brother, Calvin; and her infant granddaughter, Annie Skjerseth. She is survived by three daughters, Wendy (David) James, Peggy (Fred) Burns, and Laurie (Nathan) Skjerseth; son, Frederick Robert (Elizabeth); nine grandchildren, Ben and Leo James, Becky Allegra and Molly Hall, Erik and Amy Skjerseth, and William and Charles Perschau and Hannah Baldwin; nine great grandchildren, Dominic and Samuel James, Max and Cooper Allegra, Harper and Piper Hall, Thomas and Natalie James, and Leona Baldwin.

We are grateful to all the amazing professionals at The Fountains and Heartland Hospice. We are thankful for the thoughts and prayers of our friends and everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601), Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund (4340 E. 53rd St., Davenport, IA 52807) or The University of Iowa Deeded Body Program (1-402 Bowen Science Building, Iowa City, IA 52242).