Rosella F. Craig

Rosella Craig

Rosella F. Craig, 94, longtime resident of Bellevue, WA passed away peacefully at her home on July 31st.  She was born on March 2, 1915, the youngest of eleven children.  She grew up in Hand Country, SD, graduated from Redfield High School in 1933, and married Roland J. Craig February 7, 1934.  They made their home in Tulare, SD prior to moving to Kennebec, SD in 1942.  They relocated to Bellevue, WA in 1955, where she lived until her death.

Rosella and Roland have five sons: Bill, Jim, Pat, Mike and Kevin; and four daughters: Carmen Miller, Mary Kerb, Fatima Craig and Karla Kinsella.  She was preceded in death by her husband Roland, son Patrick, and granddaughter LeAnn.  Although primarily a mother and homemaker, Rosie worked at Newberry’s and Fredrick and Nelson.  She volunteered at Residence East, a group home for the mentally challenged in Bellevue, for more than a decade.  She was nominated for Bellevue Citizen of the Year in 1984. She cared for many children and also many elderly people–most younger than herself.

In her younger years she was very athletic and enjoyed softball and horseshoes.  She loved children, bowling, Bingo, crafts and parties.

She was “Grandma Rosie” to many, including 21 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.