Rosemary Petersen

Rosemary Reiselman Petersen passed away on July 17, 2026, at her daughter and son-in-law's home in Pflugerville, Texas. 

The rosary and services will be held at a later date in Oshkosh, Nebraska.

Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is assisting the Petersen family with local arrangments.

Family and friends can leave condolences at www.bondegardfunerals.com.

Rosemary was born on May 19, 1940, in Ogallala, Nebraska, the youngest of five children to Ben and Edith Reiselman. She graduated from Ogallala High School in 1958 and attended Chadron State College. She later returned to Ogallala, where she met her husband of 63 years, Pete Petersen. Together, they raised two children, Jay and Theresa.

Throughout her life, Rosemary shared many fond and unique memories of her childhood on Spruce Street in Ogallala, from waving to passing POWs from her front porch to babysitting at the mortuary across the street. She also spoke often and with great pride about watching her oldest brother leave to serve his country in the military.

Her professional career began with the City of Ogallala until the family moved to Oshkosh in 1971 where she worked as a secretary at the elementary school and later at Lisco State Bank. After she left the bank she owned a flower shop and restaurant in downtown Oshkosh and it was right up her alley, she loved working and arranging flowers. Prior to her retirement, she served as the office manager for the Jack Nerud Insurance Company which was later bought out by Plummer Insurance.

Rosemary was an avid reader and her collection of books proved it. She was a library board member as well. She was also very active in St Elizabeth's Catholic Church, where she was a member of the altar society. She volunteered at the elementary school where she helped with breakfast and regularly talked about the kids she met and got to know. Rosemary was kind and sweet to everyone she came across. She never knew a stranger.

Rosemary was blessed with 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren who were her biggest source of pride. Rosemary would do anything for the grandchildren and loved any and all visits they made to see her. They all loved when grandma baked treats for them, especially her sticky cinnamon rolls.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Pete, her mom and dad; mother and father in law, Neale and Ruth Petersen, sisters Nadine Vance and Yvonne Schrock, and brothers Bernard and Ed, as well as five sister in laws and three brother in laws, one nephew and two nieces.

Those left to cherish the memories of her are Jay and Stacie (Lundgren) Petersen, and Theresa and Russell McVay. Grandchildren Kaleb, Parker, Shawn McVay and Morgan (Petersen) Alvarado. Great Grandchildren, Peyton Padilla, Brenton and Isabella Alvarado. Very special friends and honorary grandchildren, Kevin and DeeAnn Coss and their children Tate, Cole, Ty and Natalie Coss. Brother in Laws and Spouses Ron and Trudy Petersen, Bill and Karen Petersen, and sister in law and spouse Connie and Gil Dunne as well as numerous nieces and nephews.