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Rose Marie (Riley) Yunker passed away on May 1, 2023 at the Baldwin Care Center at 93 years old.
She was born to Eugene and Marie Cummings-Riley in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 12, 1929, the youngest of their four children. She spent her summers in Cumberland, Wisconsin at the farm with her grandparents swimming in the lake and catching bullheads. Later she graduated from Harding High School where she was active in the choir and worked at Cooks Emporium where she found her love for clothes, fabric and sewing. On November 19,1948 she married Arnold (Arnie) Yunker after he returned home from the Navy. In 1958 they moved their family to a farm in River Falls, Wisconsin where they raised their seven children.
Rose Marie spent her days as a housewife taking care of the children. She had a love for flowers and spent her summers planting beautiful flower gardens. She also loved to cook and had an ingenuity of creating new recipes and was known for her chip dip and flakey pie crust. She enjoyed crafting and was a very gifted piano player who also had a love for singing. She was a woman of great faith and spent many years active in the St. Bridget’s Women’s Guild Group as well as served as treasurer for her local Al-Anon Group.
Rose Marie was known by many as Sweetheart, always ready to welcome anyone with a big smile and hug. She loved to entertain and every event at the farm was known for having endless food and a large extended family. Arnie and Sweetheart enjoyed playing cards with their friends and were also on a bowling league for many years. They loved their road trips and adventures including many trips to Door County with their dear friends.
Rose Marie is survived by her children, Lynn (David) Sommers, Mark Yunker, Susie Mead, Cathy Schweizer, Pat (Cindy) Yunker, John Yunker; and special niece, Deb (Rich) Bradbury. Along with her twenty grandchildren, Cory (Sarah) Biggs, Jason (Heather) Biggs, Lynn (Brian) Franzen, Jamey Biggs, Trent (Jessica) Yunker, Travis Yunker, Jeremy (Melissa) Bottolfson, Josh (Bobbi) Bottolfson, Katie (Keith) Brown, Cody (Alyssa) Bottolfson, Ann Yunker, Ashley (Matt) Magee, Jenny (Andrew) Luka, Nicole Schweizer, Jake (Devin) Schweizer, Kelcie (Logan) Paul, Lindsey (Ben) Yunker, Madie (Ryley) Rehnelt, Adam (Cass) Yunker and Cory Coppler as well as twenty-six great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Yunker; parents, Eugene and Marie Cummings-Riley; siblings, Dorothy Roberto, Barb Schreiber, Eugene Riley; son, Matt Yunker; nephew, Doug Schreiber; sons-in-law, Gary Schweizer and Gary Mead; and great-grandchildren, Haley Rae Biggs and Kayley Yunker. Memorials are preferred to the family. Rose Marie’s family would like to send special thanks to the Baldwin Care Center for their compassion and kindness.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, May 5, 2023 at 12 noon at Saint Bridget Catholic Church (211 E Division Street) in River Falls with a visitation starting at 09:30. Interment was in Saint Bridget Catholic Cemetery in River Falls. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
14 Comments
Susie and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I always enjoyed her quick wit and comebacks when I saw her. Lifting all of you up in prayer and hoping that the days ahead bring more smiles than tears.
I’m so very to hear this. What a wonderful woman and such a nice long life. My sincere condolences
she was such a nice lady, sorry for your loss
I am so sorry for your loss. As a friend of Cathy’s and hearing about her over the years I know she was a great lady and will be missed.
Prayers and thoughts for your family, Jenny.
I’m so sorry, time with sweetheart & family are some of my most memorable memories from my childhood.
Rose Marie was a special lady. Always greeted you with that smile and took the time to talk and catch up on how life was treating you. Sending sincere condolences to her entire family, many of which we have had connections to over the years. May your sorrow turn to joy as you recall all those years of wonderful memories. May God grant you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Love to you all.
Sweetheart was a very wonderful lady, always stopped to talk whenever I saw her. Remember all the good times. Sending hugs & prayers to all the family
I am so sorry, I am so glad I had the pleasure of knowing her as well as taking care of her! She impacted my life in so many ways, I am so glad I got to say my goodbyes, may she rest in peace. ❤️ fly high rose, missing you at work so much!
My sincere condolences to Cory and Sarah Biggs and the entire family! Rosewater a wonderful lady.
Yes, Rose Marie was a Sweetheart. She always had a smile for everyone. And conversations with her were always positive. Know that she is resting in peace with a smile on her face. Keeping all of her family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. She will always be in your hearts.
Rose Marie was truly a dear lady who was a friend to everyone. She is smiling down upon all of us now. My sympathy to the entire family.
I have the fondest memories of going to the farm as a kid and swinging on the tire swing, getting rides on the horse, having corn fights and sitting around the kitchen bench to eat. Rose Marie greeted us with her big smile and hugs always. Thank you for those memories Sweetheart and may you rest in peace. 🙏❤
A Very Special Person to our family. Many memories made in our younger years, sweetheart was the sweetest. Always a joy to see her. We are sorry to be missing the services today. As we are out of town. Mom and Dad as well as Pam are with me. Please know our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you.r family.
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