Rosanne Matzek

Rosanne J. Matzek died on Monday, March 24, 2025 surrounded by family after a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Rosanne was born August 26, 1950 to Donald and Sophie Kuehn of North St. Paul, MN. Rosanne was one of eleven children in a close-knit family. She married Charles R. Matzek on September 27, 1969, and they enjoyed over 55 years together. Her deep faith was the cornerstone of her life. Rosanne’s greatest joy in life was her five children and ten grandchildren. Her kitchen was always filled with good food and laughter, and she was known for her baked goods, cinnamon rolls, and pies. She was a skilled seamstress. Rosanne was a farm wife who worked tirelessly on the farm and in her garden. She could often be found in her gardens among the variety of flowers she grew and shared with friends and family.

After most of the kids were out of the house, Rosanne went back to school and then spent thirty years working in medical clinics in Ellsworth and River Falls as a certified medical assistant and patient care coordinator. She especially liked working with Dr. Tashijan. She was proud of the work she did for the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties and only gave up working there when her health forced her to retire. Her work in the medical clinics was a perfect fit for her caring nature.

Rosanne loved being in nature, whether in the woods near home or in State or National parks with Charles and their family. Her favorite place to hike was the mountains, especially the western mountains of the U.S. and Canada, as well as the Swiss Alps. Her love of the outdoors, the woods, and the mountains inspired the same love in her children and grandchildren. Rosanne avoided the spotlight and would be the first to say she was not a saint; however, she lived an inspirational life of loving service fueled by her faith.

Rosanne is survived by her husband, Charles, and their five children; Daniel and his wife Jennifer; Karen Matzek; Anna Cortez and her husband David Cortez; Samuel and his wife Kari; and Carl and his wife Jamie. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Rebecca Matzek, Ashly Matzek, Joshua Hellman, Jacob Hellman, Sophia Cortez, Luisa Cortez, Zachary Matzek, Katherine Matzek, Adeline Matzek, and Abigail Matzek. Rosanne was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Sophie Kuehn, her father- and mother-in-law Raymond and Irene Matzek; her brothers-in-law Fr. Bill Matzek, John Matzek, and James Matzek; her sister-in-law Jeanette Hovel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Visitation will be Friday, May 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Mahn Family Funeral Home,  Ellsworth Chapel and one hour prior to the service at church. A luncheon at the parish hall will follow the service. Interment is at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Big River between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Memorials to the Free Clinics of Pierce and St. Croix Counties or Saint Francis Elementary School, Ellsworth are preferred in lieu of flowers.