Rosena Mary Papasergia Todahl

Rosena was born to Salvatore and Nunciatta Papasergia on May 24, 1928 in Fargo, North Dakota.

She was the fifth of nine children, all of whom were proud first-generation

Italian-Americans. She delighted in telling the story of her parents making their way to

America, landing at Ellis Island, industrious immigrants hungry for a new life in the United States.

Rosena attended Fargo High School where she happened upon the man of her dreams –

a really big Norwegian boy, the late Charles O. Todahl. The 6’5” Charles was no match for the 5’

Rosena. They were married in Fargo in 1949 and soon moved to Bakersfield - following the second

Papasergia exodus as they all sought warmer climes. Her marriage of 43 years was blessed with

four children – Charles, Stephanie, David and Catherine.

Rosena spent 72 years in Bakersfield as a wife, mother, grandmother and great -grandmother. She was a member of OLPH Catholic Church, Italian Catholic Federation Branch 281, Catholic Order of Foresters and Kern County Retirement. A voracious reader - biography, travel and cooking books were at the top of

her list as well as current events. She was fiercely independent up until her death. She enjoyed traveling,

especially to Italy and Sicily, and was usually up for a road trip, even more so if her sisters were

involved. They were a raucous but friendly bunch.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles O. Todahl; her brothers James, Joseph, Anthony and John; her sisters Jansenia Rosendahl and Yolanda Griffiths; and grandson Zachary Blackhurst. She is survived by her sisters, Maria Parks and Joan Wallace; her four children, Charles Todahl, Stephanie Blackhurst (Paul), David Todahl (Julie), and Kadie Speaks (Roy); grandchildren Whitney and Samuel

Blackhurst, Caitlin, Dylan, and Dallas Todahl, Anthony and Mason Speaks; great-granddaughter

Emerson Blaauw; and a crowd of nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Tuesday, September 13th from 4:00-8:00 pm with Rosary at 6:00 pm in the chapel at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, September 14th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with graveside service to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Center, P.O. Box 3255, Bakersfield,

CA 93305.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Papasergia Todahl family.