Rosalie Bartz

Rosalie Bartz (nee Szymanowski)- To those who count themselves lucky enough to have known Rosie Bartz, the single best word to describe her is caring. The word certainly applies to her decades long career as an LPN with several clinics and nursing homes in the Milwaukee area, helping patients and residents at vulnerable stages in their life. Caring is also the word that her family and circle of friends would use without hesitation when referring to her. Rosie’s family was her world, especially her children, son Ron (wife Jodi Rich-Bartz) and daughter Jen (husband Joe Hayes) and her unquestionable pride and joy, grandchildren Haley, Keegan and Jayda Hayes. From the time they were born she was their devoted grandma, attending nearly every performance and event in their lives. She treasured each moment spent with them whether it was shopping, sharing meals, viewing the most current cat videos and pictures, or listening to the latest stories. Rosie enjoyed dominating bingo and was the Yahtzee champion of her family, especially joyful when she did it with one of her favorite beverages in hand, Diet Rite, Diet Pepsi or a Starbucks double mocha frappe. Her other hobbies included reading, she could tell you in detail all about her latest book and keep everyone up to date on the current celebrity news in her People magazine, completing coloring and puzzle books, and “making magic with her hands” by crocheting blankets, scarfs or any other request made to her. When visiting Rosie, it was almost certain she would be tuned in to one of her favorite television shows- Golden Girls, Bonanza, Lawrence Welk- or a game show, her preferred choice Wheel of Fortune, or perhaps something decades older on the game show network. Listening to Elvis Presley and polkas, her crazy holiday socks and iconic Tweety bird tattoo will forever be linked to her memory. Rosie was preceded in death by her parents Alice and Joseph Szymanowski, her sister Phyllis Akert and two members of her beloved “Golden Girls” group Marsha LePine and Mary Ann Erste. In addition to her children, their spouses and grandchildren Rosie leaves behind a brother, Bobbie Szymanowski, sister Rita Schramek, surviving “Golden Girls” member Carol Paczesny, goddaughter Cheryl Akert and her second set of kids, nephews Steve, David (godson) and Tim Westerhausen, along with numerous other extended family members. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Rosie Bartz can be sent to Heritage Square Healthcare Center, Attn: Stephanie, Activities Director, 5404 W. Loomis Rd. Greendale, WI, 53129 or Second Hand Purrs Cat Shelter 4300 S. Howell Ave. Milwaukee, WI, 53207. A Celebration of Rosie's life will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 2:00 -5:00 PM at Freight 38 (838 S. 1st St., Milwaukee 53204). Rozga Funeral & Cremation Services Rozga-Walloch Chapel 414-281-7145

Rosalie Bartz

January 15, 2024