Rosemary Celestine Girard

Rosemary Celestine (Jurek) Girard was born March 12, 1924 to parents Paul and Agnes Jurek. She was born at home in Benton County, Minnesota, where her father was a home builder and farmer. Rosemary was the second to the youngest in her family, with five sisters and four brothers. After leaving home, Rosemary worked in Minneapolis, Minnesota working as a housekeeper and nanny. Following that, she was employed at the Forum Cafeteria, Woolworth Store, Sears Mail Order Company, and Strutwear Knitting Company. During World War II, Rosemary worked in a defense plant, the Lewis Bolt and Nut Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, as an inspector. Later she moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota and worked in another defense plant, the Char-Gale Company, as a riveter on the fuselage of C-46 airplanes.

On April 4, 1945, Rosemary married Edward George Girard at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Duelm, Minnesota. Ed and Rosemary were introduced by Ed's niece who was a roommate of Rosemary's while living in Minneapolis. Ed was a storekeeper in the U.S. Navy at the time. The newlyweds lived in Harrisburg, PA until May of 1946 while Ed was stationed at Mechanicsburg, PA. Their first child, Celestine Rosemary, was born at the Harrisburg Hospital. In May of 1946, the Girards moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where Ed began a four year apprenticeship in the sheetmetal trade. While in St. Cloud, two sons were born, Dennis Edward and Gary Vincent. Later they relocated to Rochester, Minnesota, where two daughters were born, Judy Ann and Michelle Joan, at St. Mary's Hospital. A faithful and devout Catholic, Rosemary was a member of the St. Maria Goretti rosary group at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rochester for many years. In 1979, Rosemary and Ed moved to Fort Collins, Colorado.

Rosemary was a master homemaker, and a creatively gifted woman whose hobbies included sewing, baking, reading, and home decorating. She was a warm, devoted, loving mother and wife, having stayed at home to raise their five children. She was an inspiration and joy to her family and friends throughout her life.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Girard, in 2008, and her son, Gary Girard, in 1990.

She is survived by her children Celeste Bowman (Ronald), Dennis Girard, Judy Meagher (Michael), and Michelle Vinski (Michael); 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass for Rosemary will be held Monday, January 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2746 Fifth Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Relief Services (CRS.org), St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Castle Rock, Colorado), or St. Joseph Catholic Church (Lincoln, Nebraska).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Girard family.