Obituary of Rosemary (Keeley) Zehms

Rosemary Zehms was born on July 14, 1929, to Frank and Mary (Horn) Keeley in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She died peacefully on September 6, 2021, at home surrounded by her family.

Born during the depression, Rosemary was raised in a giving and sharing family, a culture she continued throughout her life. She would give you anything she had, always thought of others first, and was fiercely committed to her family and friends.

Rosemary graduated from Edison High School in 1947. On October 9, 1948, she married Donald Zehms. She served more than 20 years in the medical field as an emergency room controller.

Her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren were the light of her life. Rocking and singing, she especially loved caring for the newborn grand-and greatgrandchildren, a welcome and gentle matriarch to new parents. And as the babies grew, she remained keenly interested in each child, was a loyal and cheering fan at sporting activities, and was lovingly referred to as “Grandma Great Rosie.”

Her positive attitude and outlook on life inspired her family and friends. When faced with isolation during COVID lockdowns, she encouraged us to “go with the flow because it is what it is, and we cannot change it.” Whenever concerned about life’s challenges and what may come, she reminded us to “never borrow worry from the future.” She persevered many painful and lengthy health events with grit and fortitude, declaring, “I can do this, it is not so bad.”

Cherishing the time people spent with her, everyone was always touched by her gratitude for her colleagues and friends. Her treasured relationships with Methodist hospital coworkers and Pullman Place dear friends were a driving factor in Rosemary’s frequent declaration, “I love my life.”

Rosemary loved and lived this Irish Blessing:

 

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

The rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his hand

 

Proud of her Irish heritage, Rosemary “Irish Rose” lit up any gathering with her infectious laughter and mischievous antics, often declaring, “I’m Irish, what’s your excuse?” Traveling with family and friends was a passion she enjoyed that resulted in many memorable adventures such as whale watching cruises and hula dancing lessons in Hawaii and trekking in Ireland.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and her brother and wife, Frank and Betty Keeley. She is survived by her brother John Keeley; brother and wife Bob and Barb Keeley; three daughters and their husbands Kathy and Bob Jex, Suzanne and Dale Heaston, and Lori and Tom Cahill; grandchildren Ryan Jex, Eric Jex, Elizabeth Thompson, Karen Helms, Brandon Cahill, Kelly Weller; plus 14 great grandchildren.  All of these she loved and touched deeply.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held. Memorials can be made in Rosemary’s name to the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, Allina Health Hospice Foundation.