Mary Rohde, (nee Dorsey) 88, was born to eternal life on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Born in Kenosha to George and Dorothy (Eddy) Dorsey on August 15, 1934, the oldest of three children (sister Sr. Georgianna Dorsey O.P., and brother William (Luanne), Mary grew up in Kenosha and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School. After graduation Mary married Henry Petersen and together they had seven children; three daughters (her helpers) Catherine (Riley) Fulmer, Mary Petersen-Peltz, Jane Petersen (Dennis Best), and four sons David (Jodi), William (Jaye), Rev. Michael, and James (Angela) Petersen. Later in life Mary entered her second marriage to John W. Rohde and she became the step mother to John’s two sons John and Glen. Even amid the challenges and sacrifices of raising so many children Mary managed to live a full and active life at the side of her beloved husband John. Together they enjoyed travel both in the United States and abroad. Sailing Lake Michigan on their Erickson 25 was always a welcome diversion. Together John and Mary enjoyed the company of many beloved friends and family through dinner parties. Mary belonged to two bridge groups, one lovingly referred to as, “the Old Ladies” group and the other, also lovingly referred to, as “the Young ladies”.
In Mary’s heroic and sacrificial effort to support her children and keep a roof over their heads and clothes on their backs led to her seeking employment. Mary worked in the service department at Sears for 35 years before her retirement.
Mary was a woman of faith, hope, and love. as a member of St. Mary Catholic Church for decades, Mary mad great effort to attend both weekend and weekday Masses to pray for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren family and friends. No matter what the challenge Mary always sought to rely on the help of God when ti came to the welfare and well-being of her family and friends.
Mary was also an avid reader and enjoyed history. It seemed like she was always at the Kenosha Public Library near her home picking up, returning, or ordering books. In addition to reading Mary enjoyed knitting and trying her hand at needle work and her beloved “Talking Club”. She spent many hours putting together scrap books for her much loved grandchildren. Mary was also the family genealogist in constant persuit of the ancestors(especially that ever illusive Mary Grogan). Now Mary is reunited with all of her relatives and friends, her parents George and Dorothy, her sister Sr. Georgianna Dorsey O.P., her daughter and son in-law Catherine and Riley Fulmer, her great-grandson, Kellen, her step son Glen and so many of her beloved and deeply missed friends. Who knows she may even be in the company of that ever illusive Mary Grogan. Our hearts are broken as we bid you farewell. In life Mary rarely said, “good-bye” she usually said, “we’ll see you”. Until we meet again Mary, like you, in faith we say, “we’ll see you”.
Services for Mary will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Kenosha. Visitation will take place beginning at 9:30am in church with a Mass of Christian Burial to take place at 11:00am.
