A memorial service for Mary Rose Rezac-Hemme, 77, of Spencer, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 8 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer with Pastor Peter Rosenkvist, officiating and Deacon Lynn Egsdal, co-officiant. Interment will be held at a later date at Armstrong Grove Cemetery, Armstrong. Mary Rose was called home by the Lord on June 25, 2023, at St. Luke’s in Spencer.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, July 7, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Mary Rose Rezac-Hemme was born July 1, 1945, in Estherville, Iowa to Ella Rose (Julius) and Morris Nicholi Danielson.
Mary Rose graduated from Armstrong High School in 1963 and then attended CE School of Commerce in Omaha, Nebraska where she received a Junior Accounting Degree.
In July 1964, Mary Rose was united in marriage to Corrington “Sam” Laughlin, and to this union her eldest daughter, Diana was born. On March 9, 1968, she married Clarence Rezac Jr. in Spirit Lake, Iowa and added daughter, Gena and son, Chad to the family. Clarence passed away December 26, 2000. Mary Rose later met and married Bill Hemme at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer on December 22, 2017.
Mary Rose was happy to raise her children with Clarence as a farm wife. She also worked as a server at Perkins in Fairmont, Minnesota. She owned and operated the Dolliver Café for two years. She used her wonderful cooking abilities later as a cook at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville and then for ISD #196 at an Elementary School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. She also worked the front desk at Super 8 in Fairmont for a short time. She happily joined the ranks of the retired in June 2010.
Mary Rose was a current member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, Spencer Daybreakers Kiwanis, and the Galloping Grandmas team for Emmet County Relay for Life. She was previously involved in Farm Bureau Leadership and served on the Lincoln Central School Board and Compensation Board for 19 years. She even took a turn in politics and served as the mayor of Dolliver.
Her hobbies included cooking and baking, sewing, knitting, and crocheting baby blankets. Many relatives have been the recipients of these baby blankets along with many being donated to the church for newly baptized babies. Her favorite thing, however, was going to the many events of her children and grandchildren. From sporting events, dance recitals, school events and even dirt bike races, Mary Rose was always a smile in the crowd, cheering them on, especially when her son, Chad, was a college baseball player. She and Clarence followed his team to many games and was always a familiar face in the crowd.
She also enjoyed traveling. She was able to cross all 50 states off her bucket list, with the last state visited being North Dakota! She traveled on an Alaskan cruise with Gena and traveled along part of Route 66. Mary Rose and Bill also enjoyed a 16-day cruise to the Panama Canal. They enjoyed traveling together in the motor home and Bill’s airplane which allowed them to attend many sprint car races and ISU basketball and football games.
Mary Rose courageously battled different cancers since 2018. She endured many treatments, surgeries, and other protocols to fight the great fight. Mary Rose is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence; brothers, Morris and Jim Danielson and half-brother, David White.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Bill of Spencer; daughters, Diana (Mike) Erickson of Sherburn, MN and Gena Rezac of Fairmont, MN; son, Chad (Samantha) Rezac of Tipton, IA; grandchildren, Chelsea (Will) Thayer, Holly Erickson, and Zoe, Kayden, and Tate Rezac; great-grandchildren, Chase, Mason, Ella and Ryder Thayer; brother, Bob Danielson; and half-brother Bruce (Nancy) Wendelberg; sisters-in-law, Doris White and Brenda Danielson; along with many nieces and nephews.
In her well-known words, Mary Rose would lovingly say to you all, “Love You, See You. Blessings to All!”
In lieu of flowers, Mary Rose would like you to make a memorial contribution to Relay for Life, St. Croix Hospice, Bethany Lutheran, or St Luke’s Care Center.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com.
