Gerald "Gerry" Thor Rosenlund

Gerald “Gerry” Thor Rosenlund passed away peacefully October 8, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 6, 1934, in Topeka, Kansas, he was the son of the late Thor Daniel Rosenlund and Ruth Larson Rosenlund.

Gerry graduated from Topeka High School (1952) and the University of Kansas, (1956) with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was in the Navy ROTC and upon graduation Gerry proudly served for three years in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, followed by three years in the Navy Reserves.

He went on to a distinguished 35-year career with DuPont, with assignments in Kansas, South Carolina, New York, West Virginia, and North Carolina. He served as plant manager in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and in Florence, South Carolina.

In 1966, Gerry and his father purchased a cottage in the Christian retreat community of Bethany Beach, Michigan. Across five generations and multiple family moves around the country, Bethany Beach remained a constant anchor for the Rosenlund family, fostering deep, lifelong Christian friendships that originally began when Gerry’s parents visited the area as teenagers from Chicago.

Affectionately known as the “Deacon-Mayor,” Gerry was celebrated for his genuine kindness and unwavering commitment to his family, his church, and his community. He lived by the Golden Rule and anchored his leadership style in his signature "Five Fs": Fair, Fun, Friendly, Frank, and Faithful. He served as a church Deacon Chair and lent his leadership to many organizations, including Rotary, United Way, the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, the McLeod Medical Center Board, and the House of Hope of the Pee Dee. In retirement, he and Barbara traveled the world, and nothing brought him more joy than following the achievements of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2021 they moved to Rolling Green Village retirement community in Greenville, South Carolina where they enjoy many new friendships.

Gerry is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Barbara Wyatt Rosenlund, whom he affectionately called "the most beautiful girl in the world" from the day they met until his final breath.

He is also survived by his four children: Jeff Rosenlund (Angie) of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Kris Ozburn (Mike) of Mobile, Alabama; Brad Rosenlund (Sally) of Seneca, South

Carolina; and Kelly Leitch (Steve) of Taylors, South Carolina; as well as his sister, Bettilou Louvera of Palm Desert, California. Gerry deeply loved and cherished his 14 grandchildren (plus spouses) and his 23 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at the Rolling Green Village Retirement Community at 11:30 am on Sunday, October 18, 2026. A second memorial service will take place at Bethany Beach in 2027. Gerry will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Three Oaks, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Beach Tabernacle in Sawyer, MI, or Miracle Hill Ministries in Greenville, SC. Contact information and links to these organizations may be found below.