Rose Smisek, 93
Rose Smisek, 93, a lifetime resident of Lonsdale, died Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Mala Strana Health Care Center in New Prague. Rose was born in Lonsdale in 1920, a daughter of Wenceslaus and Rose (Simon) Herda. Her first home was in the apartment above the Shoe and Harness Shop on Main Street in Lonsdale, owned by her father. She attended the local elementary school, and Good Counsel Academy in Mankato. In her adult years, she took Extension short courses offered by the Univ. of Minn., and various music courses at St. Olaf College in Northfield. After her marriage to Edward F. Smisek, Rose and Ed lived for the next 33 years on the Smisek family farm, west of Lonsdale, where Ed grew up. They later built a new home in Lonsdale for their retirement years. Though Rose had many varied interests, music stands out as being a major part of her life from the time she was a young child, when she learned to play the piano, and also sang in the local church choir with her father. Rose continued her music into her adulthood and served over 30 years as the parish organist and director of various choirs at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale. Rose also organized and directed a women's Czech Folk Singing Group, the “Seasoned Choralairs,” performing at events throughout the county. In her retirement years, Rose taught piano lessons in her home to over 250 students between 1971 and 2001. In addition to her love of music, Rose found joy in cooking, sewing, flower and vegetable gardening. She was actively involved in her community and county as a 4-H Club Leader for 20 years with the Wheatland Wheaties 4-H Club. She served as a member of the Rice County Extension Advisory Committee, and as a member of a Minnesota Governor’s Citizens Committee appointed by Governor Anderson in 1962 for a Conference on Agriculture and Country Life. Rose actively participated in a local Women’s Extension group for many years, served as a member of the local parish rosary society and parish council, and was on the board of directors for the State Bank of Lonsdale.
She is survived by children Anita Smisek, Sinsinawa WI, Marilyn King, Lebanon, TN, Sharon Girod-Lang, Foster City, CA, and Ed W. Smisek, Lonsdale; seven grandchildren Robin King, Spokane, WA, Sally Ward, Niskayuna, NY, Timothy King, Fredericksburg, VA, Eric Girod, Pleasanton, CA, Rebecca (Dukes), Roseville, CA, Allegra Schmidt, Minneapolis, and Sam Smisek, St. Cloud; and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; seven siblings; and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m., at the Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale, with Rev. Thomas McCabe serving as celebrant.
Interment is at Calvary Cemetery, Lonsdale, with extended family serving as pallbearers.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 21, at the White Funeral Home in Lonsdale, starting at 4 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m.
Memorials are preferred to the LNMV School Foundation, or personal choice.
