Rosalie M. Mesker

Rosalie (Orth) Mesker, age 93, of Evansville, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Solarbron Terrace. Rosalie was born February 19, 1931, in Evansville to the late Anton and Frances (Heitzman) Orth. Rosalie was a life member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, now part of St. Boniface Parish. She was an active member of St. Agnes church’s PTA, Alter Society, and quilters. Rosalie and Clarence were inducted into the Brute Society of the Diocese of Evansville for their service to the church. Rosalie met her future husband, Clarence Mesker, at church, and they became life-long partners celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on September 9, 2020. Their first date was to a dance and their love of dancing through the years delighted all as they glided gracefully across the dance floor as one. Most of her life, Rosalie was a homemaker, raising four daughters, and helping on the family farm. She loved her gardens of flowers and vegetables; she was a great cook and had a passion for making beautiful quilts and sewing clothes for her daughters. She loved animals and children giving her time extensively to both causes. Rosalie worked for the Purdue Extension Office coordinating the cultural exchange program with American 4-H participants and Japanese LABO students. She was an involved volunteer with the 4-H Fair, Farm Bureau, and Germania Maennerchor even hosting a German family during their stay in Evansville. Her volunteer work with the W.O.W. Red Hat Society brought joy to the three patients they sponsored at the Evansville State Hospital’s Friend-to-Friend program. While volunteering with C.A.S.H., she worked as a reading tutor for the children at Westside Catholic School. Surviving Rosalie are her three daughters, Betty (David) Cummings, Jane (Herb) Lovelace, and Donna Mesker; grandchildren, Kevin Cummings, Jessica (Bryan) Schulthies, Sarah Lovelace, and Mark (Malyssa)Lovelace; four great grandchildren, Caroline and Sally Schulthies, and Penny and Violet Lovelace. In addition to her parents, Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Clarence Mesker in 2020; by a daughter, Rose Ann Mesker in 1973 and her sister, Martha Reising in 1972. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Rev. Lowell Will officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 7:00 PM on Wednesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:30 AM until service time on Thursday at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1600 Glendale Ave. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1620 Glendale Ave, Evansville, IN 47712. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Solarbron and Heart to Heart Hospice for all of their kind and compassionate care. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com

Rosalie M. Mesker

February 19, 1931 - October 6, 2024