Rose Van Hecke age 79 of Shakopee, formerly of Seaforth, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 27 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at the church with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial is in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rose Marie (Schueller) Van Hecke was born March 25, 1936 in Seaforth, Minnesota to John F. A. and Elizabeth (Bernardy) Schueller. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. Rose attended school in Seaforth and at St. Anne’s in Wabasso. On July 17, 1951 she was united in marriage to Charles “Bud” Van Hecke at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The couple moved to Walnut Grove and then to a farm west of Seaforth where they lived 7 years. Later they moved into Seaforth. Rose drove school bus for Wabasso District 640. She was the first female driver. The couple moved to St. Louis Park in 1968 where Rose also drove school bus. She drove bus for 45 years. They returned to Seaforth in 1972. Rose retired in 1998 but continued to be a substitute bus driver. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she was active in CCW and with the quilting group. Rose enjoyed crocheting and fishing. She and Bud loved dancing together especially at Polka Days.
Rose is survived by her children: Charlene (Larry) Rohlik of St. Louis Park, Marlene (Mike) DeOtis of Robbinsdale, Cindy (Gary) Reese of Springfield, Jeff (Chris) Van Hecke of Prior Lake, Valerie (Lee) Gladitsch of Cold Spring, and Chuck (Deb) Van Hecke of Syracuse, UT; 9 grandchildren: Michelle and Scott, Andrea and Marc, Jennifer, Jason, and Jordan, Andy and Jasmine; 8 great grandchildren: Anthony, Tabor, Courtlyn, Paxton, Jada, Noelle, Mya, Ian, and one on the way; sisters Marcella Wilhelmi of Redwood Falls and Magdalen Bergstrom of Marshall; and sisters-in-law Dolly Perrizo of Redwood Falls and Margaret Schueller of Montevideo. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers Leo, Sylvester, Richard, and Lawrence.
Ray and I are sorry we won’t be able to attend “Rosie’s” funeral, due to distance and other commitments. We will always fondly remember “Rosie.” She was responsible for our meeting each other and our first date. For some reason, Ray had come to Seaforth, with one of the Rileys, who was a friend of “Bud’s,” They were planning to go to a movie in Redwood Falls and seemed to think Ray needed to have a date, so they came out to the Fixsen farm to see if I (Darlene) could go along. That was almost 66 years ago. The rest is history. We will be married 65 years in Sept. and are so fortunate to still have each other. We have four wonderful children, all married, 11 grandchildren (8 married) and 16 great grandchildren.
The last time we saw “Rosie” was when she popped in to say, “hello,” at one of my Dad’s birthday parties,several years ago, in Seaforth.
We remember “Rosie” as a pleasant and fun person. We know she is being greatly missed by her family. You have our sympathy and condolences. Blessed be her memory.
Darlene (Fixsen) and Ray Guggisberg
Val, Lee, & family,
I am so sorry to hear the passing of your mother. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. HUGS to you all.