Rosmary Ellen Hartson

Rosmary Ellen Hartson was born on March 30, 1935 to John and Ethel (Thompson) Reese at her parent’s home in Russell, Minnesota where she was raised. She attended school in Russell through the eleventh grade and later completed her high school education earning a diploma in 1954. On March 23, 1952 was united in marriage to Donald Hartson at the Lutheran parsonage in Ruthton. Following their marriage, the couple resided in Ruthton and began a family. Along with raising their children, Rosmary worked at various jobs. Notably, she worked at Marshall Produce (Marshall), Swift and Company (Marshall), Fecker’s (Pipestone), HL Friedland (Pipestone), Buffalo Ridge Bank (Ruthton), Peace Lutheran Church (Ruthton), and RTR Elementary School, under the SMOC program. She also did house cleaning during this time. Donnie preceded her in death on February 12, 1998. Rosmary continued to live in Ruthton. In June 2012, Rosmary official retired. Upon deciding to sell her home in Ruthton, in October 2018, she became a resident at the Colonial Manor in Balaton, Minnesota, which later closed, at that time Rosmary moved to Lakeview Assisted Living in Balaton.

Rosmary was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1948 at the First English Lutheran Church in Russell. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxillary in Ruthton. She was an avid reader and enjoyed almost everything that was placed in front of her although; her favorite genre was historical fiction. Most years Rosmary raised a large garden and while she was still able, she canned and preserved much of the food for her family. They also had grape vines and fruit trees in the yard, Rosmary harvested the fruit to make homemade jams and jellies. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidering, knitting, crocheting, sewing quilts for church mission work, and crafting. Her more recent hobbies were computer solitaire, jigsaw puzzles, and coloring using paint pens.

Rosmary went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center, in Marshall on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Rosmary is remembered by her five children, Amber Hartson of Russell, Ricky Hartson of Revere; Virginia  (Randy Studemann) Schulte of Tyler; Rodney (Clara) Hartson of Ruthton; and Rose (Dan) Roberts of Oakdale, MN; fourteen grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; Siblings, Grace McChesney of Russell; Arlen (Shirley) Reese of Richland, Washington; Brother-in-law Ardie Williams of Russell; Sharyl (Eldon) Larson of Fulda;  Gary (Marilyn) Reese of Jackson; and Roxy (Bob) Boerboom of Wabasso; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donnie; her parents; infant daughter, Darlas; children, LeRoy and Kelly; six siblings, Inez Anderson, Alvin Reese, Betty Melang, Robert Reese, Twila Mershon, Aloa Williams and Randy Reese.