Another angel winged her way to heaven on the afternoon of May 1st when Leta Louise Rosmer (Raffel) peacefully slipped away at Sutherland Hills Rest Home, Kelowna at the age of 102, with her daughter by her side.
Leta was born January 10, 1915 in Essen, Germany to Anna and August Raffel. She emigrated with her family to Trochu, Alberta in 1928. In her late teens, she ventured out on her own, eventually settling in Vancouver, where she met and married Michael Rosmer on August 1, 1942. They moved to Salmon Arm in 1946 and started their own business, the Salmon Arm Machine Shop. Together with partners, Paul and Lita Spleiter, they expanded the business to include a VW dealership, which they continued to operate until their retirement. They had two children, Marlene and Ronald.
Leta will be lovingly remembered by family and friends alike, for her hospitality, generosity, and sage advice. She warmly welcomed all visitors to her home and it was once said if the Queen came to visit, she would treat her the same as everyone else. Leta’s baking was legendary at home and at bake sales, and when grandson Michael showed an interest, she eagerly taught him cherished family recipes.
Next to baking, Leta’s greatest passion was her flower garden. She could be found most evenings with hose in hand, watering and cultivating the most colourful flower beds and window boxes.
Leta and Michael loved to entertain and hosted many boisterous parties in their downstairs rec room, which was decorated like a German beer hall. Leta was also part of a kaffeclutch group of women who met regularly for over 30 years. They celebrated each other’s birthdays, holidays and, in later years, survival of an afternoon of bowling.
The Rosmer family were active members of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, where Leta was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for 69 years. She directed many church skits and nativity scenes. Long time parish priest Father Michael Byrne, was a regular dinner guest, and although considered to be like one of the family, Leta made it a point to show special respect by setting out for him a white linen napkin and the good silver.
Leta and Michael travelled extensively around the world during retirement, enjoying new experiences well into their 80’s. Michael passed away in 2001 and six years later, Leta moved to Kelowna to be closer to her daughter. There, she continued to spread her sunshine by bringing laughter to both staff and residents with her sense of humour and bright smiles. She will be missed by many.
The family thanks the management and staff at Sutherland Hills Rest Home for the exemplary care Leta received during her stay there and the attention paid to its requests and comfort.
Leta was predeceased by her parents, Anna and August Raffel, her siblings, Hedwig, Karl, Helmut and Hans and her husband, Michael. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Marlene (Ray) Cottrell of Kelowna and Ronald (Barbara) Rosmer of Hinton, AB, her grandsons, Michael, Jeffrey and Kevin Rosmer, her sister-in-law, Marcella Raffel and numerous nieces and nephews and their children.
A funeral mass will be held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salmon Arm on Thursday, May 11 at 1:30pm. There will be a viewing in the Church at 1:00pm. A reception will follow in the Church hall. Interment will be in Mt. Ida Cemetery in Salmon Arm. Condolences may be sent to Bowers Funeral Service at www.bowersfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sutherland Hills Rest Home, 3081 Hall Road, Kelowna, B.C. V1W 2R5 or a charity of your choice.