Rosella Bach
February 14, 1917 ~ November 4, 2012
Rosella M. Bach age 95 of New Hampton, Iowa died Sunday morning, November 4, 2012, surrounded by her family, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in New Hampton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012, at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by her two daughters. Crossbearer will be Sherre Carnes.Lector for the service will be Alan Schluetter. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Rosemary Schluetter and Maryann Christoph. Ann Bennett, organist will accompany the North Washington Men’s Choir, and the congregation in song.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with Rosella’s grandsons, Jeff Schluetter, Randy Schluetter, Jamie Schluetter and Chase Christoph as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are her great-grandsons, Alan Schluetter, Kyler Carnes, Jacob Schluetter, Evan Schluetter, Ross Schluetter and Luke Schluetter.
Friends may greet the family 3 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 Rosary and a 6:00 p.m. Scripture Service.
Rosella Mary Bach was born February 14, 1917, near North Washington, Iowa the daughter of John and Pauline (Zimmer) Burgart. She was the youngest of twelve children. She grew up and went to school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in North Washington. Rosella’s First Holy Communion was held in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. That Mass was the very first time the new church had been used. Rosella, traveled to school in a horse and carriage, along with her sisters with a heated rock in the center to keep her warm on cold days. The Burgart family moved to Alta Vista, Iowa and then to New Hampton where Rosella was a 1935 graduate of the New Hampton High School.
On April 13, 1939, Rosella was united in marriage to Al J. Bach at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. To this union two daughters were born, Rosemary and Maryann.
After their marriage Al and Rosella lived in Waterloo and both worked at the Rath Packing Co. There they were blessed with their first daughter Rosemary. After a short time Al was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in California. Rosella was determined to stay close to her husband so she packed up Rosemary and with her sister Romana drove to California.
When Al returned home they settled in Clarksville, Iowa for a short time where together they operated a tavern. A short time later they moved to New Hampton where Al worked for the Northern Lumber Company and together they opened the first roller skating rink in a tent in back of their home. Due to a severe storm the tent was destroyed and the decision was made to move the tent floor to a permanent building (now known as Kolby’s). This was the birth of the Crystal Ball Roller Rink which they operated together for 20 plus years.
Al then started his own construction business with Rosella right there pitching in. At this time they were again blessed with another daughter Maryann. As the business grew Rosella was in charge of all the bookkeeping. She took care of payroll taxes, bills etc. while all the time taking care of her precious family and helping in all the business ventures. Rosella and Al were entrepreneurs in every sense of the word. She was a true partner and always by his side.
Heading into their retirement years, Rosella and Al were avid square dancers. They also enjoyed traveling and visiting such places as Washington D.C., Las Vegas, California and Florida. Many wonderful memories were made when they took their entire family including all the grandchildren to Disney World. Rosella was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and at the age of 87, made her first visit to their stadium in Chicago, even riding the “L” train.
Her beloved Al died on May 31, 2003. Rosella continued living at her home until November of 2006.
Rosella loved her girls, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally. Rosella was a true and loving wife, a beautiful and compassionate mother and a kind and loving grandmother.
She is survived by her two daughters, Rosemary Schluetter and Mary Ann (Steve) Christoph, all of New Hampton; five grandchildren, Jeff (Sylvia) Schluetter, Randy (Gladys) Schluetter, Sherre (Jeff) Carnes, Jamie Schluetter and Chase Christoph; six great-grandchildren, Alan Schluetter, Ross Schluetter, Evan Schluetter, Kyler Carnes, Jacob Schluetter and Luke Schluetter; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Al; parents, John and Pauline Burgart; brother, Walter Burgart; sisters, Lillian Denner, Frances Weber, Victoria Smith, Teresa Hentges-Pesek, Alice Bach, Blanche Kobliska, Olivia Sobolik, Laura Streff, Romana Burgart and Lucille Hosek.
Great childhood memories of Al and Rosella. I especially remember Al feeding me his chocolate cake when he was building our house! Jan (Sobolik) Bigalk
I was very sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. Though I was quite young, I have very fond and vivid memories of your parents. Mike Condon
Anyone that grew up in the New Hampton area will remember the fun they had at the Crystal Ball Skating Rink. Thank you to the Bach family for all those memories. Helen (Bartz) Wegner
Our deepest sympathy to all of the family
Shirley Glaser lit a candle in memory of Rosella M. Bach
Sending our deepest sympathy to you to all of you. May you all find comfort in those wonderful memories you all have of her!! Know that she is with your dad/grandpa once again. And I’ll bet her sisters and brother are welcoming her home!!! Take care and God bless you all!!
Sending our sincere sympathy to all the family.