Rosalie H. Jess

Rosalie “Rosie” Hope (Rasske) Jess, age 93, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

She was born in Rosendale, WI on December 13, 1931, the third child of Erna Schroeder and William Rasske. She graduated from Ripon High School in 1949. After high school she worked many places including Ripon Knitting Works, Ripon Data, The Garden Center and Pearls House of Fashion, but she will most likely be remembered for her work with her husband, Doug, at the Eagles Club or as the secretary for the City of Ripon at City Hall until her retirement.

Family meant everything to Rosie. And family never meant more to her than after her husband passed away in 1987. After that she wove her family more tightly together just like the sweaters, mittens and afghans she knitted to keep them all warm.

Rosie loved time in the garden spending hours on her knees planting, weeding or just tending to the roses or vegetables she was growing. In white Keds, her garden shoes, she would eagerly take you out to see what was popping up, always clipping a rose to put in a bud vase. Makes sense for a lady lovingly referred to as Rosebud.

Above all, most people will remember Rosie for her time in the kitchen. Whether it was at the Eagles Club or her own, Rosie brought people together with food. Food was her love language and she spoke it well.

She would prepare family lunches and dinners with the intention of keeping her family at the core. No matter what was on the menu, you could always taste the love. You never walked away with an empty belly or an empty heart. And no matter what, there was homemade chicken soup in the freezer to feed your soul.

Around Thanksgiving time, Rosie’s kitchen turned into a bakery, preparing dozens of different Christmas treats. Many pounds of flour and sugar later, she prepared beautiful platters to give away, keeping nothing but a few caramels for herself.

But perhaps what Rosie was best known for was her potato salad. The recipe that everyone wanted but no one could obtain. There was no way she would have written it down either, for fear that someone would steal it for their own. It was her secret magic, the magic that brought people together and made them belong. Just the right amount of warm potatoes hand peeled, the eggs and the celery and hand mixed with love. (Those are a couple of Rosie’s secrets in case you were wondering)!

Rosie taught us how to handle life with the right amount of perseverance, connection and love. Although she was stubborn, she never deviated from her truths: family and love.

Rosie is survived by her three children, Luanne “Punky” (Doug) McConnell, Linda Jess and Lee (Cathy) Jess, all of Ripon, WI; four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, Jessica, (Aaron), Addisyn, Kennedy and Asher Johnson of Ripon, WI, Lesley, (Bryan), Binyam, Amelia and Quinn Ernst of Ripon, WI, Jeremy, (Emmy), Wilder and Redding Jess of Ripon and Jordan, (Anne), Halle and Josie Jess of New Prague, MN. Rosie is also survived by her brother, Lynn (Julia), her sister-in-law, Lorainne along with many nieces and nephews. Rosie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Doug; brother, Norm; sisters, Naomi and Gloria; brothers-in-law, Gene, Dave, Bob; and sisters-in-law, Nola and Sue.

Visitation for Rosie will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9:00 am until 11:30 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971.

A memorial service for Rosie will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Clay Salmela officiating. Inurnment will take place at Garden of the Cross Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established in her name.

Rosie’s family would like to thank Kim and the amazing staff at Tower View who cared for Rosie with grace and dignity, and ensured a high quality of life through her final days. We would also like to thank the caring and supportive staff of St Croix Hospice, and Steph.