Rosemary Zaiger

1922 - 2017

Funeral services for Rosemary Zaiger, 94, were held February 10, 2017 at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Pastor Dwayne Ferguson officiating. Honorary Casket Bearers were David Lawless, Jack Lawless, Leroy Jessen, Leslie M. Blair, Jr., and Earl D. Ring. Casket Bearers were Lance Meaike, Richard Schwarte, Shane Zaiger, Brandon Foley, Logan Bryant and Ted Oswald. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Bowman Chapel near Guthrie Center.
Rosemary Zaiger, the daughter of Forrest Millard and Dorothy A. (Rae) Lawless, was born April 2, 1922, in Ironton, Ohio an died Feb. 2, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, at the age of 94 years and 10 months.
Rosemary was baptized on March 30, 1934, at the Central Christian Church in Ironton. She attended Ironton Community Schools graduating on May 31, 1940, with the High School Class of 1940. Rosemary then attended Nursing School in Columbus, Ohio for one year.
On Oct. 3, 1942, she was united in marriage to Ralph Vernon Zaiger in Galia, Ohio. They were blessed with five children: Dorothy Ann, Robert V., Mary, Margaret Rose, and Ralph Allen. Ralph was in the service when they were marred. When he was honorably discharged on Nov. 30, 1945, they settled in Ironton, Ohio, for several years. In 1948 they moved to Audubon. During these years Rosemary was a homemaker caring for Ralph and caring for and raising their children. Rosemary was an active volunteer for Caring and Sharing, the Friendship Home, and other community organizations. Ralph died on March 19, 2000. Rosemary lived in her home in Audubon and always enjoyed visiting her children. In January of 2014, she experienced a major stroke while visiting her son Ralph Allen in Florida. Following rehabilitation, she moved to a care center in Marion, in May of 2014.
Rosemary was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. She was involved in the church council, served on the missions committees, and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school and attended the weekly Bible studies. But her most precious time was with her family especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband Ralph V. Zaiger, was her infant daughter Margaret Rose Zaiger; her parents; her brothers Robert Lawless (WWII fatality), and infant brother Richard Lawless; her sisters: Helen (Lawless) Wall and infant sister Dorothy June Lawless; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elvin P. and Lillie A Jessen; her brother-in-law, John L. Zaiger; and her sisters-in-law: Lillian and husband LaVerne Juhl, Louise Zaiger and Sandra Frances Jessen.
Survivors include her children: Dorothy Ann and husband Leslie M. Blair of Marshalltown; Robert and wife Shirley Zaiger of Cedar Rapids; Mary and husband Earl Ring of Houston, Texas and Ralph Allen and wife Dorothy Zaiger of Lynn Haven, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; her brothers Carl David and wife Janice Lawless of Westerville, Ohio and Jack F. Lawless of Ironton, Ohio; her brother-in-law: LeRoy Zaiger of Waukee, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.