Richard J Rosonke

Richard J. Rosonke, 84 of West Des Moines, passed away on Monday, September 18 at Methodist Hospital surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines on Friday, September 29th at 1:30 pm followed by placement of his ashes in the Resthaven Cemetery Mausoleum followed by a social time. Memorials can be sent to Dorothy’s House here in the Des Moines Area or a place of your choice.

He was born in New Hampton, Iowa on June 29, 1939, to Tony and Helen Rosonke. After graduation from high school, he joined the Air Force where he helped set up micro-0wave stations connecting France, England, and Germany after WWII. Upon returning from France he attended college at UNI and U of I. His career began teaching French at Cedar Falls High School. He worked on a Federal project designed to assist parents with special needs children. When that finished he worked at Joliet Junior College as the director of their college media center. Lastly, his last career move was back to Iowa to be Director of Corporate Training for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Richard enjoyed all the younger family members with his own Rutabaga stories. In the neighborhood, the doorbell would ring, and with a little small voice asking if Richard could come out and play. He enjoyed woodworking, and family travel, especially to France where he had many French friends. He was an avid reader of history and politics and organized his thousands of photographs.

Richard is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, of 56 years; his siblings, Tony Rosonke of Fountain Hills, AZ, David Rosonke (Liz) of Algona, IA, Father Vince Rosonke of Waukee, IA, Kate Felder (Mike) of Alta Vista, IA, and Father Steve Rosonke of Dubuque Ia. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Nancy Wolken (Paul) of Legrand IA, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Helen Rosonke; father and mother-in-law, H. Dale and Mary Cole; brother, Roger; and sisters-in-law, Pat Rosonke and Jane Olson.

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