Rosemary Whelan

Rosemary Whelan February 2, 1941 - March 14, 2012

Rosemary Whelan, age 71, of Wadena, MN passed away peacefully listening to the Righteous Brothers performing "Ebb Tide" attended by her loving daughters on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the Northfield Hospital in Northfield, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault. Rosemary Lee Byrne, the daughter of Vincent and Evelyn (Zimmerman) Byrne, was born on February 1, 1941 in Faribault, MN. She graduated from Bemidji High School and Bemidji State Univ. with a Degree in Education. During college she worked for the movie theater in Bemidji. After college her passion for skiing brought her to Alaska, where she was a teacher at the Elmendorf Air Force Base. Rosemary returned to Bemidji and was married to Michael Whelan, and they had three children, Shelly, Vincent, and Mary. She then obtained her Masters Degree in Education from Bemidji State and then taught in various cities in Minnesota and Illinois before settling in Wadena. She was an elementary teacher for over 40 years, retiring in 2003. She played an integral part in the formation of the Wadena School of Excellence Program, taught summer computer camps, and was a Title One Coordinator. Rosemary was part of a loyal group of fun loving friends from high school who met annually (called the "Dirty Dozen"). She loved traveling and most recently went to Las Vegas with siblings Tom and Pat. She maintained a close long-distance relationship with siblings, Barbara, Linda, and John. Rosemary cared for many people, most notably her mother for many years. Her most joyous times in life were the times spent with her father, her grandchildren, and living in Alaska. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her three children, Shelly, Vincent, and Mary; six grandchildren, James, Edasen, Sophia, Wallace, Katie, and Alexander; siblings, Patricia, Thomas, Barbara, Linda, and John; along with many other relatives and friends; and her beloved dog, Princess.