Maralee Hamilton's Obituary
Maralee Hamilton, age 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 13th, 2025, at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, WI.
She was born in Waterloo, IA on January 24, 1930, to Charles and Cynthia Barrett, the eldest of 6 children. She graduated from Jesup High School.
She married Joseph Rosicka September 23, 1949. They had 4 children who have survived her; Patty (Steve) Myers of Oshkosh, WI, Peggy (Steve) Austin of Bemidji, MN, Cynthia Thorson of Eagan, MN and Joseph (Karen) Rosicka of Eden Prairie, MN; her grandchildren Paul Ditty (Eddie), Sara Samples (Nathan), Chris (Elizabeth) Austin, Jenny (Paul) Fare, and Joseph E. Rosicka (Michelle); her great-grandchildren Nick and Dev Samples and Woodrow and Simon Austin. Her husband Joseph preceded her in death on April 2, 1955, dying in a car accident in Waterloo, IA, leaving her with 3 young daughters and a son yet to be born.
On January 3, 1959, she married Dale Abernathey and they resided in Bemidji, MN until his death on January 26, 1987. He was a wonderful and loving stepfather and helped raise her children on the farm north of Bemidji, MN.
On April 7, 1990, she married Ronald Hamilton and they resided in Big Lake, Monticello and later moved to Chanhassen, MN. Through this marriage, she gained 4 step children; Kathy Callagan, Jean (Darrell) Vang, Garnet (Gary) Widmark and Rick (Pam) Hamilton. Ronald died on July 7, 2007 and she moved to Oshkosh, WI to be near her eldest daughter, Patty.
In addition to her three husbands - Joseph Rosicka, Dale Abernathey and Ronald Hamilton, she was preceded in death by her brothers - Dick Barrett, Arthur Barrett and Warren Barrett and her sister - Barbara Martin. Also, her stepson, Rick Hamilton and stepson-in-law, Gary Widmark. She is further survived by her sister Charlotte Peterson and a special sister-in-law Barb Barrett and many nieces and nephews.
Throughout mom’s life she enjoyed gardening, traveling and her relationships with friends and family. She was a hard-working woman with lots of spunk and made the best pie crust in the world! Although she suffered more than her share of heartaches in her life, she maintained a loving and sweet spirit. We will miss her more than words can express.
We would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Retirement Community for the loving care and comfort they have provided the last 4-1/2 years. They were very special to Mom. Also, thanks to Generations Hospice who were there for her and the family in her final days.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
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