Rosemary R. Nothem

Rosemary R. Nothem, age 88, of Port Washington, Wis., peacefully passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at her residence.

She was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Jan. 16, 1935, the daughter of Frederick and Cecelia Fessler Resch.

After graduating from Messmer High School, Rosemary moved with her parents to Saukville.

On Jan. 8, 1955, Rosemary married Arnold Joseph Nothem of Lake Church in Port Washington. Throughout their married life, many anniversaries were celebrated while living on North Milwaukee Street in Port Washington.

In 1980, their 25th anniversary was celebrated at the St. Alphonsus Hospital Chapel in Port Washington with a Mass for family and friends and a reception at the Belgium Community Center.

In 2005 for their 50th, a Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church with a limo ride to a surprise dinner and reception.

Their children and grandchildren continued their support by surprising Arnold and Rosemary with a dinner for their 65th in 2020.

They recently celebrated their 68th anniversary this past January just before Rosemary passed away.

Living nearly all of her married life on Milwaukee Street in Port Washington, Rosemary was very active within her community through her family and work. For a few years, after having their fifth child, she worked part-time for two different Realtors.

They enrolled their “surprise” sixth child in St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1978, where Rosemary volunteered as a school librarian for several years.

She then began her new career working as an office assistant for Dr. Thomas Freed, O.O.D., in Grafton, Wis., from 1981 until she retired.

Rosemary had been an active parishioner of St. John XIII Parish (first attended St. Mary’s Church and then St. Peter’s) and was a devout Catholic. For more than 50 years, she was an active member of the Christian Women, originally called Christian Mothers when she first joined.

Rosemary also was a member of Port Washington Woman’s Club for decades.

She always had a long prayer list and prayed daily. She worried about everyone else and always placed the needs of others before her own.

She loved to have fun and enjoyed a good game of sheepshead and 500 rummy.  She loved going “Up North,” fishing and floating in an inner tube on the water, especially the Mississippi River.

Family time was very important to her.  Rosemary loved to babysit and be active with her grandchildren, which included reading to them, playing “pretend,” acting out favorite kids’ movie scenes and splashing around in the kiddie pool set up in their backyard.   

Her favorite meals included venison steak, brats made on the grill by Arnie, chop suey and all seafood.

She had infinite patience and understanding. Rosemary will be remembered as a living saint to her family. To know her truly was to love her. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband Arnold Nothem of Port Washington; her daughter Renee (Nothem) and Salvatore Mirto of Omro, Wis.; sons Paul and Janet (Lisowicz) Nothem of Franklin, Wis., John Nothem of Rhinelander, Wis., Dale and Shari (Wauer) Nothem of Dundee, Wis., and Scott and Jill (Prom) Nothem of West Bend, Wis.; and her daughter Susan (Nothem) and Bryan Deal of Port Washington, Wis.

She is further survived by her grandchildren Nichole Schulze, Robin Schulze (Nicholas Becks), Andrew (Katherine) Nothem, Meghan Nothem, Aimee Coronado, Jonathan Nothem (Michelle Ehrlich), Justin Nothem, Samantha (Steven) Langjahr, Whitney Nothem, Isaac Nothem, Thane (Heather) Nothem, Tyler (Jeanette) Nothem, Kara Nothem, Xavier Deal and Hudson Deal; nine great-grandchildren; her brother Ronald and Ceil Resch; her brother-in-law Harold and Arlene Nothem;  many, many nieces and nephews; cousins; grandnieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Cecelia (Fessler) Resch and her in-laws Matthias and Clara (Bode) Nothem, among other extended family members.

A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at St. John XXIII Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1802 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington, Wis.  The Rev. Patrick Wendt will be the celebrant.  Visitation will take place from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the church prior to Mass.

Final interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Church, Town of Belgium, Wis.

Memorials to the charity of choice are appreciated.

Poole Funeral Home/Crematory, Port Washington, is assisting the family.

Information and condolences are available at www.poolefh.com or (262) 284-4431.