Born on June 25, 1926 in Zurich, Switzerland, Rosemarie was the daughter of the late Gottlieb Pfaffhauser and Luisa (May) Pfaffhauser.
Rosemarie spent her childhood in Switzerland where she was educated and trained as a dressmaker. After her training in the late 1940’s, Rosemarie followed her future husband’s adventurous spirit and moved to Sweden where she continued with her fashion career. She married Fritz Rengel in 1950 at St. Gertrude’s Church in Stockholm.
Rosemarie and Fritz returned to Zurich in 1951 where they began their family. In 1958, Rosemarie and Fritz followed their dreams and emigrated to the United States with their two young sons, Urs and Peter. After a few years in New York, they moved to Old Tappan, NJ where they raised their family and Rosemarie lived until 2020.
Rosemarie initially worked in the garment district in NYC as a dressmaker, then continued her career at the Salvation Army in their uniform department where she worked for 33 years until her retirement in 1994.
In her retirement years, Rosemarie greatly appreciated the fellowship of the congregation of the Trinity Reformed Church in Old Tappan, NJ, where she participated in services, craft fairs, church socials and other events. She volunteered weekly at Pascack Valley Hospital. Rosemarie enjoyed her get togethers, walks and trips to NYC with her friends. She especially enjoyed her many travels to visit family in Switzerland. She took pride in her home in Old Tappan and the doors were always open to friends and family visiting from Switzerland and elsewhere. She was the go-to person whenever there was a need for pet sitting amongst her friends.
In 2020 Rosemarie moved to Beverly, MA to be closer to her family. She enjoyed all the time she was able to spend with her son and family and all the new friends she made at Colonial Gardens.
Rosemarie was predeceased by her husband Fritz with whom she shared 28 happy years of marriage until his death in 1978.
She was the beloved mother of Urs Rengel, and his wife Ginger, of Marblehead, MA, and the late Peter Rengel, and his wife Laureen, of Mount Airy, MD.
Rosemarie’s greatest joy was her three grandchildren, Liana Holland, and her husband Ed of Mount Airy, MD, Christopher Rengel of Los Angeles, CA and Emma Rengel of Marblehead, MA. In addition, she is survived by her dear sister Klara Kaegi of Zurich, Switzerland. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews in Switzerland, her step- great grandchildren in MD and her many friends from Old Tappan, NJ.
In addition to her parents, her husband and son, Rosemarie was preceded in death by her brother Gottlieb and her sisters, Louise and Margaret.
Rosemarie will be remembered for her sunny disposition, her loving heart, her service to others and her famous Linzer torte! She was an avid knitter and sewed many of her own clothes. Her Swiss accent was familiar to all those who knew her, and she was always heard saying a kind word. She was loved deeply by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Memorial Services will be held later in the spring at Trinity Reformed Church in Old Tappan, New Jersey followed by a private burial service at Tappan Reformed Church Cemetery in Tappan, New York.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salvation Army in her name or to a charity of your choice.
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