Rose Potter Ringstad died peacefully in her room at the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home on the afternoon of Jan. 15, 2014, with family at her side. Born Sept. 18, 1923, to Elmer and Mathilda Potter, Rose thoroughly enjoyed her early years in Stephenson, Mich.
She left home to attend Michigan State University, but daringly decided, in 1945, to live out her brother Bud's dream to see Alaska, and transferred to UAF. After two weeks of travel by land and by sea, she arrived to seemingly bleak conditions. But she quickly made friends and fell madly in love with Alaska.
In 1945, Rosie met her "Sir Gallahad," Mark Ringstad, at a UAF basketball game. He was a local basketball star, and she was the new girl in town. His family welcomed her in, and Rose eagerly embraced happy times at their cabin on Birch Lake, the annual moose hunting excursions and innumerable camping trips into the wilderness that was Alaska. The adventure of her lifetime began.
Upon graduation, she taught one year of high school science in Palmer and coached the girl's basketball team to the state championship, a mighty achievement for a woman who had not played a day of basketball herself.
Rose and Mark were married in 1947 and went on to have nine children. Rose's life here was made complete when she was joined by her sister, Kate, who married Mark's brother, Ken; and her sister Joyce, who married Mark's basketball buddy, Tom Paskvan. Raising their large families together came naturally to the three sisters, sharing every holiday, going on outings and swapping kids for sleepovers.
Throughout the years, Mark and Rose homesteaded 160 acres off Peger Road. They moved downtown to help run the family owned Miller High Life and Pepsi Bottling Company. In 1954, they built what came to be their family home in Slaterville.
When Rose's brother died in 1959, she and Mark moved their family of five to Michigan for a year to close up the Potter family business. When asked how she had weathered all these transitions with all those kids, under such rugged conditions, she'd always reply, "I loved every minute of it."
As a stay-at-home mom, Rose fielded everything, from the basic needs of her family, to supporting school events, to the often treacherous driving lessons for each of her nine kids. Most summer days were spent at Birch Lake with cousins by the dozens, and moms flipping pancakes, washing dishes and starting the next meal. Singing around the campfire was a favorite pastime.
In her later years, Rose opened and operated her Forget-Me-Not Bed and Breakfast. It was constantly full of both new and returning guests from every corner of the world. Rose loved to entertain. She loved to be surrounded by her family and friends. She led a proud and productive life. She gave her family memories to last a lifetime.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark; her parents, Elmer and Tilly; her siblings, Kate (Ken), Ruth (Charlie), Celia (Al), Bud (Allanah), her mother-in-law, Sylvia Ringstad, and brothers-in-law, Tommy Paskvan and Bing (Gladys) Ringstad.
She is survived by her sister, Joyce Paskvan; her children, Beverly (Joe), Jim (Judy), Mary (Clint), Becky, Jeanne, Barb, Phil (Sue), Chris, and Celia (Paul), and her dearly beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral mass will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Love you, Grandma Rose
Jessica Mathewson
January 24, 2014
Rose was a special woman, I was always trying to win her favor as a kid. Her approval meant everything to me. She was a great mom and all of you are so lucky to have had her in your life. My sympathies go out to you since losing your mother is a tough pain to deal with. All my love, Jinx Whitaker
Jinx Whitaker
January 22, 2014
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with the Ringstad (K&K Bartusch) family at this time.
Courtney Harris
January 21, 2014
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with the Ringstad (K&K Bartusch) at this time.
Courtney Harris
January 21, 2014
So sorry to read of your Mom's passing. She always had a ready smile. She was a very sweet lady. Our thoughts are with all of you.
Don & Patti Benjamin
January 21, 2014
Celia and all the Ringstads. I wish I could have made the trip to Fairbanks for the celebration of your mother. I told her when I last saw her "I hope I can be 1/2 the mother she has been." She has been an inspiration to all. You are in my thoughts and prays.
With love. Suzy O'Connor Harouse. Mt. Lebanon , PA
January 19, 2014
Sending sympathy for the Ringstad family. I remember Rose fondly, from the years our chldren attended ICS:the rummage sales, bake sales,basketball games. A wonderful mother and charming lady.
Louise McManus
January 19, 2014
You are in our hearts and in our prayers
Kathleen Blades
January 19, 2014
Sweet Aunt Rosie, what a wonderful and blessed life you shared with so many. How fortunate I was to have your support when I was a young wanderer. I will drink tea from the china cups you gifted me so many years ago, close my eyes and there you will be. With a smile. In my heart.
Rosie Potter
January 18, 2014
She was an extraordinary person. So loving, affectionate, always positive and optimistic, and the hardest working person I've ever known. She always put others before herself and did an amazing job caring for several generations of her family, and earned the respect and affection of everyone she met. What a lovely and rare example. The beautiful rose, the loving mother, God smiled on both like no other.
Jessica Mathewson
January 18, 2014
Jim and family may you have peace at this sad time, remembering all the good memories and love that fills your lives. My prayers are with you.
Mary Lou Cady
January 17, 2014
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose Ringstad my saying to her when I would see her in our Slatervillie home. Rose and Mark will always be remembered. Our prayers to all the family. Terry and Kevin Ginley
Kevin Ginley
January 17, 2014
So sorry to hear of Rose's passing, our families thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tim & Kim Teegardin
January 17, 2014
Rose was such a gentle and warm woman. I loved being around her. My love and prayers to all of you.
Bari Hite
January 17, 2014
Ringstad Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! She was a wonderful lady. Prayers The Fantazzi Family
January 17, 2014
Barb, sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Jody Hanns-Clark
January 17, 2014
An fabulous woman who raised a wonderful Alaskan family. God bless you Mrs. Ringstad.
Brian Murkowski
January 17, 2014
My heart aches, but yet rejoices, for the Ringstad family. Rose will be missed, but what a wonderful legacy she left her family. She is at peace with her Lord and saviour......together again with loved ones gone on before...and waiting to welcome future loved ones at heaven's door.
Lynn Hines
January 17, 2014
What a wonderful woman of family and faith. I always enjoyed talking with her. Her children can rise up and call her blessed! Fr. John Jay Comerford, O. Carm. Niagara Falls, Canada. Monroe '72'74 plus service at the Cathedral.
Fr. John Comerford
January 17, 2014
Remember Rose well. I use to baby sit for her and Mark. When I was a fire fighter I was on a fire call to their house in Slaterville which was in in front rooma and did a lot of damage and at Christmas time to. My best to the family.
Jack Hillman
Jack Hillman
January 17, 2014
Our thoughts are with the Ringstad family at this time love you all! Betsy and Steve
Betsy Bartusch
January 17, 2014
A great lady and a good friend she left her mark as one of Fairbanks' leading ladies,
Renee Blahuta
January 17, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the whole family. Rose was a wonderful person,
Dorie Barratt
January 17, 2014
A wonderful person my thoughts and prayers are with all the family.. Ed miller Denver
Ed Miller
January 17, 2014
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