Rose Gordnier

A loving mother, with a passion for her grandchildren, Rose K. Gordnier was an extraordinary woman. She was a hard worker with a deep love for her family. Every relationship was important to her. Rose was a good listener and made time to be there for her family and friends, never asking for anything in return.

Rose was born in Vicksburg, Michigan, on May 22, 1912. This was a quieter, more relaxed time in American history. There were no televisions, automobiles were a rarity and families tended to sit down to meals together. Rose’s family was rather large; she was the third of nine children born to John and Katherine (Grubka) Stafinski. As the oldest girl, her placement in the sibling lineup meant she carried a lot of responsibilities in the house. From her mother, she learned to cook and clean properly, while helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters. In 1931, when Rose was 19, her life forever changed. Her mother died, leaving Rose as the mother figure to her younger siblings. Just four years later, her father died and she took full responsibility of household duties and keeping the family together. Fortunately, she was able to complete her formal education, graduating from Vicksburg High School in 1930, where she played basketball for four years and was team captain her senior year. With a large family, money was always tight so Rose worked at a bakery in Vicksburg to help out and to have a few nice things of her own.

The 1940s were dominated by World War II and women were needed in the workforce to replace men who had gone off to war. It was during this time that Rose found work at Eaton’s in Battle Creek and came to know Gerald Gordnier, who also worked there. They began eating lunch together and their friendship soon blossomed into romance. They were happily married on October 12, 1946, in Bryan, Ohio. After honeymooning in Chicago, the newlyweds returned to Vicksburg and lived in Rose’s childhood home, along with her brother Louie until his death in 1976. Gerald and Rose soon started a family of their own with the birth of their daughter, Susan, in 1948, followed by their second child, Terry, born in 1951. Rose loved being a mother to her two children and was always very involved in their schooling and other activities. Supportive and loving, Rose always had a listening ear and helpful advice whenever her children asked.

The family had a cabin at Bass Lake in Baldwin. They looked forward to going to the lake every weekend where they enjoyed fishing and playing cards. Rose loved to play cards; it brought out her competitive nature. In later years, she and Gerald would winter in Florida, but always came back for a couple of weeks around Christmas to be with family and friends in the neighborhood, who were considered extended family. Rose lived in Vicksburg, in the same house she was born in, for 90 years. It is the place she called home, and the place where she created a lifetime full of memories with her family and friends. The holidays were very special for this represented an opportunity for all of the family to come together. There were always lots of cousins and lots of food and lots of great memories to be shared. It wasn’t until Rose had a bad fall in 2002, that she and Gerald moved in with her daughter Sue and family. After taken good care of her children throughout their lives, her daughter now returned the favor by taking very kind care of her. Not wanting to be a burden, Rose still managed to get around the house to help out with folding laundry, cooking and doing dishes.

In her free time, Rose loved to tend to her flower garden, which boasted of beautiful roses and lilies. She had quite a green thumb. She also enjoyed embroidering and quilting. Her cooking skills were pretty good and Rose was known for her delicious cookies, pies and a traditional Polish dish of pigs in a blanket called Golabki. A huge sports fan, Rose was a die hard University of Michigan football fan but also enjoyed listening to the radio broadcast of the Detroit Tiger games.

Rose was the kindest, most caring person who tried each day to share her happiness with her loved ones. She left her children with many great memories, but more importantly, she left them with the unforgettable example of what a good mother and grandmother can be. Rose will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Rose K. Gordnier of Vicksburg, MI, died on Wednesday, December 1, 2004, at the home of her daughter in Kalamazoo. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Louis, Joseph and Carl Stafiniski. Rose’s family includes her husband, Gerald Gordnier; children: Terry Gordnier of Paw Paw, MI, and Susan Gordnier of Kalamazoo, MI; brothers and sisters: Frank Stafinski of Vicksburg, MI, Edward (Natalie) Stafinski of Marshall, John (Barbara) Stafinski of Vicksburg, MI, Harriet (John) Pultorak of Ceresco, Violet (Robert) Smith of Plainwell, MI; and three granddaughters: Emily, Sarah and Karla Gordnier.

To learn more about Rose’s life, friends may visit with her family on Friday, December 3, from 2-5 p.m. at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel, where a scripture service will be recited at 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vicksburg. Rose will be buried in Vicksburg Cemetery. Please visit Rose’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either St. Martin Catholic Church or Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo.