Obituary of Rosaleen Baneck

Rosaleen “Rosie” Carolyn Baneck, 79, of Jefferson, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Sienna Crest Memory Care Facility in Fort Atkinson.

Rosie was born on November 14, 1944 in Watertown, the daughter of Herman and Rosa (Volkert) Sachs.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Helenville and grew up on a farm.  

While living on her parents’ farm in rural Jefferson, she attended Jefferson High School for three years.  When her parents sold their farm in 1961, the family moved to Fort Atkinson, and she graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1962. 

On August 7, 1965, she married Alwin G. Baneck at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.  Al and Rosie were blessed with 52 years of marriage together until Al’s death in October 2017.  Together, they operated a dairy farm near Rome where they raised their two daughters and one son.  Prior to starting a family, Rosie worked in the medical records department at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital. 

Rosie was a hard worker and helped her husband with a lot of the farm work including washing the milking equipment, butchering chickens and ducks, and driving the tractor while baling hay.  She did all that while being a homemaker and raising three children with her husband.  She was also an excellent cook and baker.  Everyone enjoyed her homecooked meals which included produce from her large vegetable gardens on the farm.  Every year she canned an untold number of jars of pickles, fruits, and tomato juice.  She loved to bake treats for family and friends.  She would often make someone’s favorite meal or dessert if she knew they were coming for a visit.  Many of her favorite recipes including “secret ingredients” have been passed down to her family.

Rosie completed the nurse’s aide training program at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in Fort Atkinson and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  In May 1996, she started work as a CNA at the Countryside Nursing Home (later Alden Estates) in Jefferson working there until her retirement.  She enjoyed her work as a CNA and understood the importance of providing loving care for the elderly.  She was also committed to caring for many family members with health issues throughout her life.  

Rosie was a devoted wife, loving mother, and caring grandmother.  She enjoyed raising animals, gardening, cooking and baking, listening and dancing to polka music, playing cards, and helping out her family and friends however she could.  

Her family would like to thank all those who helped care for her in her later years just as she had lovingly cared for others.

Rosie will be deeply missed by her three children, Julie (Chad) Schumacher of Waukesha, Margie (Rich) Drotzer of Cambridge, and John (Jill) Baneck of Marshall; six grandchildren, Cole and Ava Schumacher, Jason and Rachel Drotzer, Harold and Frederick Baneck; as well as many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Al, sister Ruth Atchley, and brother-in-law William Atchley.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 31, at 12 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, W1956 Main Street Sullivan, WI  53178 with the Rev. Marilyn Lange officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 30, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI  53538 from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, December 31, at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.