Roseanna P. Gevelinger, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Crossroads Care Center of Weyauwega, WI.
She was the first born of Joseph and Olivia (Hay) Beat on October 7, 1927 and was later joined by a brother, Herman Beat, and a sister, Irene Beat. Her childhood was routed in the Great Depression era where families relied on each other, and, in our mother’s case, she lived under one roof with her grandparents and great-grandparents; memories of summer kitchens, woodstoves, and Christmas’s old, she lived it just as they are depicted on Christmas cards. Roseanna was hardworking and adventurous in life. She worked in hospitals as a nursing assistant and also was a baker’s assistant in her early years in Ohio. All of that came to a quick halt when she was hit by a drunk driver while walking to work. She suffered tremendous injuries resulting in chronic pain until the day she died, having much pain in her feet. It was once described to me by her doctor as “walking barefoot on sharp stones”. Never did she want or take anything for her pain. Roseanna’s mother was with her while she recovered from this tragic accident which almost claimed her at a young age, but she had a second chance…
Roseanna married the love of her life, Edward Gevelinger, on February 13, 1965 at St. Michael’s Parish in Bellevue, OH. They left her beloved family in Ohio and she moved to Mineral Point, WI to help her husband on a dairy farm. They had a successful dairy business there and then both of them ventured out and adopted four children, ages 8-11 years, quite a task in itself. While raising a family, they were active members of St. Mary’s Parish in Mineral Point, and our mother’s passion was baking, especially pies and pasties, for Cornwall Days in Mineral Point. After the children moved on, they sold the dairy farm and moved to Monroe, WI where they were active members of St. Victor’s Parish; maintaining the parish cemetery together. Both Roseanna and Ed were always there for their children and grandchildren when needed; and they were needed, too, by all of us.
Roseanna suffered tremendous losses in her life of those she cherished. Her little sister, Irene, who she was so close to, passed away in the ‘70s due to breast cancer; her beloved husband, Ed, who lost his battle to cancer on February 12, 1987; and then her parents, Joseph and Olivia, who passed after the loss of her husband. With all of these loved ones she was their caregiver and never left the side of those she loved. After her mother’s passing, Roseanna decided to travel with her van – she loved her van – and her Chevy pickup truck. She ended up in Powers Lake, ND for well-deserved peace and solitude, and, yes, she did her own thing. Roseanna did make several trips to visit family in California and Wisconsin, but, then she lost touch with her family for some years due to circumstances beyond her and her family’s control. With divine intervention and her beloved cousin, Shirley Nielson, she found her way back to Wisconsin in 2015. We, her family, then had a second chance to spend the remaining years of her life with her, and, we were the fortunate ones… Roseanna lived with her eldest daughter and son-in-law and it was such a joy having many deep conversations with her. She loved watching the planting season of the neighboring farmer, drinking a Hamm’s beer with her son-in-law, and having a glass of Moscato wine with her daughter. Roseanna enjoyed going out to eat, and if her family could not finish what was on their plates, she was the first in line to help. Her family had to “alert” waitstaff to remove plates when done or else they were sure to be sitting at restaurants all day.
In 2016, Roseanna moved to Crossroads Care Center of Weyauwega. She knew her health was failing and due to her poor health, she just didn’t want to impose on her family. Roseanna loved her time at Crossroads and considered the residents there “all family”. She enjoyed sharing stories of her time in North Dakota with Linda, a CNA on the night shift. She loved the sunflowers, people, and the open plains of North Dakota. So many of the staff at Crossroads meant the world to her that there are too many to mention. One of her favorite residents was Angie, and the two of them looked after each other as roommates.
Our mom, grandma, and GG (great-grandma) will be missed by all of us. It was such an honor to be a part of her life, especially in her later years. Her presence will be felt in the loved ones she leaves behind… there is an emptiness in all of our hearts.
Roseanna is survived by her four children: Elizabeth (Richard) Haase of Fremont, WI; Roberta Fleming of Vallejo, CA; Robert Gevelinger of Lincoln, NE, and Jacquie (significant other, Steve) Gevelinger of Sacramento, CA; nine grandchildren: Joe Sparkman of Berlin, WI; Bridget Sparkman of Stevens Point, WI; Jack (Jess) Moore of Vallejo, CA; Nathan Moore of Vallejo, CA; Brea Fleming of San Francisco, CA; Emma Gevelinger of Lincoln, NE; Tanner Gevelinger of Lincoln, NE; Maggie (Tyler) Carlson of Portland, OR, and Molli Carlson of Brooklyn, NY; five great-grandchildren: Savanah Sparkman of Stevens Point, WI; Roman Zimmerman of Stevens Point, WI; Diego Sparkman of Berlin, WI; Bella Moore of Vallejo, CA, and Grace Moore of Vallejo, CA; a brother, Herman Beat; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Gevelinger; a special cousin, Shirley Nielson; and her beloved dog, Hannah, who took many road trips with her. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A Graveside Service will be on Friday, December 7, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery in Monroe, WI. Father Larry Bakke will preside. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
A huge thank-you to so many who cared for our beloved mother, especially, Crossroads Care Center of Weyauwega, Compassus Hospice of Green Bay, and Shirley Nielson, who chatted with our mom in her final days when she could no longer talk. Roseanna always loved Shirley for her “gift of gab”, as do we all now…
“Because this is what I believe – that second chances are stronger than secrets. You can let secrets go. But a second chance? You don’t let that pass you by.” – Daisy Whitney