Rosalie Loy Kretschman

FENNIMORE – Rosalie Loy Kretschman, age 81, passed away peacefully, on Friday, September 1, 2023, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1942, in Dodgeville, WI. She was welcomed by her parents, Leon “Ole” Loy and Rose Pauline Grant Loy, as well as 2 older brothers, Grant and Lincoln, and 2 older sisters, Helen and Suzanne, to their family home in Annaton (Stitzer), WI. Rosalie was the youngest of the family.

As a young child, Rosalie spent a great deal of time with her father, Ole. The older children were in school, and her mother was recovering from rheumatic fever, so she traveled alongside her dad until the others  returned to care for her after school. Rosalie also felt the love of many aunts and uncles as a child.

Rosalie attended country school and “town School” in Livingston, WI and Fennimore, WI. She graduated from Fennimore High School. She fondly recalled some of the best years of her life as her college years at UW-Platteville in Platteville, WI, where she studied education and made lifelong friends. Rosalie received her bachelor’s degree in education in January 1964 and her master’s degree in education in December 1968.

Her long career in education started in the Iowa-Grant School District, before moving to Lancaster, WI. She worked in public education for 40 years and eventually retired from the Lancaster School District. For Rosalie, seeing a child learn to read was a beautiful and rewarding experience.

As described by Rosalie, her four best life experiences were marrying Jim on June 13, 1964; Becky’s birth on November 10, 1967; Jean’s birth on August 9, 1970; and Tom’s birth on July 5, 1979. Rosalie and Jim instilled a strong sense of family and strong work ethics in their children as they all worked together on the family’s dairy farm.

Rosalie is survived by her husband of 59.5 years, Jim Kretschman; their children: Rebecca Kretschman, Jean (Dan) Tobin, and Thomas (Sarah) Kretschman; 3 beautiful grandchildren: Jake Kretschman, Abby Kretschman, and Emma Kretschman; a brother, Lincoln “Link” (Louise) Loy; and many loving and caring friends and family.

“Life has been good.”