After suffering from an illness, Rosemarie “Rosie” Christel Szernitzky Cruzan passed away peacefully at Centralia Providence Hospital on March 11, 2025, with her family and friends surrounding her.
Rosie was a loving mother, Oma, Great-Oma, sister, aunt and friend. Rosie lived life “Loving God and Loving Others.”
Rosie was born in the former German province of East Prussia, in the capital city of what was then Königsberg before becoming Kaliningrad, Russia. Rosie’s childhood was defined by the events and aftermath of World War II. As a 4-year-old, Rosie and her family were forced to flee East Prussia to escape the advancing Red Army. Rosie shared stories of the terrifying drone of bombers flying overhead and constant artillery explosions battering the city. Frantically lining the docks to board whatever ships were available, Rosie watched as a large vessel full of civilians was bombed and sunk, killing all aboard, as it attempted to leave the harbor. Rosie and her family managed to board the next ship and were spared as it steamed through the bombardment to temporary safety. The family eventually settled in Celle, Germany.
Rosie met her future husband of almost 50 years, Gary, while he was stationed in Germany. They quickly started a family and soon welcomed their first daughter, Corrina. While pregnant with their second son, Michael, the family left Germany for America, and they resided in Washington state, where Gary was from. They resided in various locations before establishing roots in Chehalis in 1977. By this time, two more children, Sabina and Christopher, had been welcomed into the family.
Rosie thrived in Chehalis and soon found a church family at Grace (Baptist) Church, where she spent many hours volunteering in the nursery/Sunday school and singing in the choir. She made lifelong friends there and hosted many game nights, which always included a baked goodie... or four.
Rosie LOVED to bake, especially during the Christmas season, and would often make a variety of over 30 cookie and dessert recipes. She gifted her bunter teller to family, friends and neighbors. She was also known for her Torte’s and Königsberg Klopse. She loved playing board games, particularly German ones, solving her German crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family. Life was never dull when you were with her; she loved being silly and always made life so fun.
Rosie will be deeply missed. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Helene; mother-in-law, Lynetta; husband, Gary; sister, Rita; and daughter, Corrina. She is survived by her sister, Giesela (Kort) Sternke; sons, Mike (Julie) and Chris (Amber); and daughter, Sabina (John). Rosie is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and her “adopted sister,” Gitti, her fellow countrywoman that God sent to be her neighbor and best friend.
The family would like to thank the nurses and palliative care staff at Centralia Hospital and Assured Hospice staff. The family would also like to thank Rosie’s longtime neighbors for their love and support — Ron and Gitti Burger, Dr. Larry and Kristi Nelson, and Donna Chess.
A memorial service will be held April 30 at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Chehalis, WA.
