Rosemary A. Sosalla
Rosemary Ann Sosalla, 87, of Whitehall, died peacefully after a week of comfort care, with her family at her side, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall.
Rosemary was born May 25, 1935, in the Town of Lincoln, Trempealeau County, to William and Julia (Kwosek) Kulig. She married the love of her life, Benedict Sosalla, June 9, 1956, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Independence, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage together until Ben passed away, February 7, 2017.
Rosemary graduated from Independence High School in 1953, and lived her life primarily in Independence and Whitehall. She enjoyed a few years in Milwaukee where she was employed with Allen-Bradley Company prior to her engagement. Rosemary and Ben decided to take over his parents’ farm, purchase the farm, and raise their family together in Whitehall. After their children were all in school, they retired from farming in 1979, and Rosemary worked as a waitress at Rainbow Restaurant in Blair and City Cafe in Whitehall.
In 1989, at the age of 54, Rosemary decided to pursue her interest in nursing by becoming certified as a nursing assistant and home health aide at Western Wisconsin Technical College. She offered exemplary care to her residents for the 11 years she was employed at Grand View Care Center in Blair until she retired at the age of 65 in 2000.
Rosemary was one of the early members of St. John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall and was very active with the women’s organizations, especially the PCCW and the funeral committee. She frequently volunteered with activities at the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center before, during, and after her husband Ben was a resident.
Rosemary was very proud of her and Ben’s Silesian/Polish ancestry and often spoke Polish that she learned from her maternal grandmother, Mary. She enjoyed listening to Polka music and practicing on her keyboard as she learned how to play by ear. Ben and Rosemary especially loved traveling the United States together, and playing cards and bingo (her favorite hobbies) which she was often skilled and lucky with. She was known for her wisdom and strength, and her faith and family were the core of her life. Rosemary was very sociable and was an excellent cook who hosted many family events and created many memories treasured by her family.
Rosemary is survived by her five children: Barry (Deanna) of Eau Claire, Brian (Lois) of Pardeeville, Debi of Beaver Dam, Randy (Jorge) of Whitehall, and Joseph of Milwaukee; five grandchildren: Brad Toft, Theresa (Greg) Hoffer, Ashleigh (Collin) Krawll, Ben Sosalla, and Tara Sosalla; two great-grandchildren: Liam Krawll and Nyah Krawll; a brother, Roland (Doris) Kulig of Blair; two sisters: Renita (Art) Bohn and Ruth (Gordy Nepstad) Marsolek of Independence; a half-sister, Adeline Puccini of Virginia; and a sister-in-law, Roberta Kwosek of Oak Creek.
In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Skroch) Kulig and August and Mary (Pierzina) Kwosek; her brothers: Robert and Richard Kulig; her half-brothers and half-sisters: Verna (Aloysie) Halama, Bennie (Ruth) Kulig, Adolph Kulig, Eleanore (Art) Drangstveit, Clifford Kulig, Clarence (Theresa) Kulig, Anton (Doris) Kulig, Edward (Arlene) Kulig, William Kulig, Jr., and Roman (Frances) Kwosek; and her brothers-in-law: Joseph Puccini and Martin Marsolek.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, March 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Saint John’s Catholic Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall. Father George Thayilkuzhihottu officiated.
Visitation was Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall where a Christian prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., followed by a parish rosary. Friends could also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
