Rose Tewald

   Rose Ann Tewald, 78, of Spencer, Iowa passed away at the Avera McKinnin Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on January 18th, 2025.

   Rose Ann Schaa was born to Harry Benjamin and Mildred Agatha Schaa at their home in Ashton on December 15th, 1946. Rosie attended a country school in Ashton and received her GED through Iowa Lakes Community College. She worked at Campbell’s Soup in Worthington, MN prior to meeting her husband George. 

   Rose married George Tewald Sr. on April 23, 1966, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sheldon, IA. He was her one true love for almost 38 years. Following their marriage, they moved to Spencer, IA. George and Rosie raised three children, Barbara, George Jr., and Eric in Spencer, IA, where Rosie still lived until the day she met God.

   Rosie and George loved bowling together in their younger years and played on many bowling leagues. Rose was a simple woman, she loved her family, friends, daycare children, and games. Every Wednesday night, you could find Rosie watching her regularly scheduled programs. Rosie often hosted card parties for friends and family and valued the time spent while playing games with others.

   Rosie was a devout Catholic and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church since 1966. She attended mass every Saturday night, and always sat in the same pew on the right side, three rows from the front.

   Rosie was a pillar in the community of Spencer, and she will be dearly missed. Rosie’s biggest achievement in this life was making sure everyone she met felt loved. She dedicated her life to the children of her community. She was a daycare provider to children from 1972 until 2025. She cared for over 150 children throughout her 53 year career and tended to over 3 generations of people. Rosie was not just a babysitter, but a member of many families in the community. She hosted Christmas parties every year for the children and encouraged them to make presents for their parents. She attended almost every tee-ball game, dance recital, graduation, and wedding she was invited to by her former daycare children. 

    After the loss of George, Rosie enjoyed having kids in their house as much as possible so she would always have love in their home. She often encouraged parents to take date nights in order to spoil their children with an overnight stay and McDonald’s or Burger King. She spent countless nights, weekends, and holidays watching the children for free as she wanted their parents to relax on vacations while she cared for their children. She was loved and adored by everyone who came to know her. Rosie was truly one of a kind. To know her was to love her. 

    A favorite memory of her grandchildren’s was taking leftovers to the squirrels. At one time, Rose trained the squirrels in her backyard to eat out of her hand. She would save all table scraps and feed them to the squirrels, but knew not to offer certain foods as the squirrels became picky. 

   Left to cherish her memory are her children, Barbara Sorenson, of Davenport, IA; her son Eric Tewald, of Superior, WI; three grandchildren: Austin Sorenson and his wife Erica, of Davenport IA; Brittany Otterson, of Visalia, CA; Malachi Garvey, of Webster City, IA; two great-grandchildren Harper and Copelyn Otterson, of Visalia, CA; as well as her many relatives, numerous friends, and countless children and parents that she loved endlessly.

    Rosie was preceded in death by her loving husband George; her parents Harry and Mildred; her son, George Jr. Tewald; one granddaughter, Carissa Berns; four brothers, Benjamin Schaa, Harry Schaa Jr., Robert Schaa, Kenny Schaa; and one sister, Darlene Van Buren; as well as her many relatives and numerous friends.

  The family invites all to a luncheon following the interment at the church.