Rosalie Lucille Minetti

Rosalie Lucille Minetti (née Maretti), 95, was born in Guadalupe, California on August 24, 1919. She passed away peacefully on April 17, 2015 in Santa Maria, California. She is remembered as the Minetti family matriarch, most beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her life's journey is a great testament to local traditions and ranching history.

Rosalie was raised on the family ranch in Oso Flaco by her parents Charles and Adeline Maretti. She attended elementary school in Guadalupe. After graduating from Santa Maria High School in 1937, she moved to Los Angeles, where she lived with her aunt and attended Woodbury Business College. She earned her secretarial degree in 1940 and returned to the Santa Maria Valley.

She married Clarence Minetti on August 10, 1940 at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in San Luis Obispo, California. They were soulmates who spent 70 years together as partners in life and business. They moved to Corralitos Ranch in 1941 and made their lifetime home there.

When Rosalie's father passed away in 1947, Clarence and Rosalie took the helm of the family cattle ranching and dry farming operation. They formed the Maretti and Minetti Ranch Company in partnership with her brother Ralph Maretti and his wife Wilma. They built up an exceptional cattle herd over the years, and the ranch company remains today in its third generation of family ownership. For the past seventy five years and right up through this year, Rosalie kept the books of the Maretti and Minetti Ranch Company. Her record keeping, done by hand, was always meticulous and precise. When working with accountants, insurance representatives and other providers, she favored personal visits over phone calls.

In 1958, Rosalie and Clarence co-founded the Far Western Tavern along with Rosalie's cousin Richard Maretti and his wife Jean. The restaurant remains a landmark of Santa Maria Valley hospitality and Santa Maria Style Barbecue.

Rosalie was renowned locally for her cooking abilities and boundless hospitality. During World War II, with a toddler at her side and a baby in her arms, she cooked three meals daily over a wood stove for 14 ranch hands. She was very proud of her daughter Marie's outstanding culinary talents. She possessed an innate ability to whip up delicious dishes while rarely consulting her recipe library. Her blackberry pies were coveted among family members for decades. She was a master gardener, and cultivated many of her own ingredients. Her recipes were the inspiration behind Susie Q's Brand Artisan Foods, which was founded by her daughter Susan.

Together, with their son Tyke, Rosalie and Clarence bred and raised many fine quarter horses, Rosalie was very knowledgeable on quarter horse bloodlines and enjoyed researching pedigrees. Some of their fondest memories were attending equestrian events to watch their son, Tyke participate in working cow horse events. She was so proud of Tyke's many accomplishments in the arena.

To her family, Rosalie was known most as a loving mother, and as a doting grandmother and great grandmother. She was devoted to her family. She never missed a birthday, and was the first to call on special occasions.

Rosalie cherished memories of trips to Europe and trail rides in Mexico she and Clarence shared with beloved friends.

Rosalie took great interest in the needs of her community, and along with Clarence was active in supporting, Marian Hospital, Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, Santa Barbara County Fair Junior Livestock Auction, St. Joseph's High School and other local organizations.

Rosalie is survived by her children: son, Tyke Minetti and wife Sheryll; daughter, Marie Will and husband Steve; and daughter, Susan Righetti and husband Paul.

She was adored by her grandchildren: Tom and Sara Minetti; Jaysen and Michelle Smith; Toby and Kim Goodwin; Jayme Goodwin; Renee and Mark Fowler; and Tim Righetti.

She took immense joy in her 10 great-grandchildren: Kyle, Brooke, Kayla and Grace Minetti; Olivia and Luke Goodwin; Jack Goodwin; Regan Fowler; and Ryan and Alexis Righetti.

Rosalie is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Adeline Maretti, brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Wilma Maretti.

We will miss her greatly, but will forever remember a life richly lived.

The family wishes to thank her loving and faithful companion and caregiver, Maria Mincitar, and her medical caregivers Dr. Susan Ziemba, Dr. Todd Erickson and Staff at Mission Hope Cancer Center, Marian Regional Medical Center Infusion department.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23 at the Chapel of Dudley Hoffman Mortuary from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 24 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church, with burial to follow in the Guadalupe Cemetery.

The Far Western Tavern will be closed until 4:00pm on Friday, April 24, in honor of Rosalie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or one of these organizations:
Clarence Minetti Scholarship Fund, St Joseph High School, 4120 S. Bradley Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455
Marian Medical Center, 1400 E. Church St, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Mission Hope Cancer Center, 1325 E. Church St, Santa Maria CA 93454
Minetti Mini Rodeo at Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, 1309 N. Bradley Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Santa Maria Fairpark Foundation, 937 S. Thornburg, Santa Maria, CA 93458
Guadalupe Dunes Center, 1065 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe, CA 93434

To leave a condolence for the family visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com