Rose Mary Ann (Thielen) Dilley

After a courageous two year battle with cancer, Rosemary passed away peacefully at the home she shared with her husband, Walter L, Dilley, Jr. in Paynesville. Rosemary was born May 17, 1932 in Mannanah, Minnesota to John and Theresa (Hennen) Thielen, one of sixteen children. She moved to Paynesville as a small child, graduated from Paynesville High School, and married Walter on August 19, 1950 and had seven children—6 girls and one boy and shared a loving 61 years of marriage.

She is survived by her devoted husband Walter, her beloved children, Jacqueline Richardson (Reginall) Simi Valley, CA, Deborah Dilley (Ken Rosenberg) of Mill Valley, CA, Pamela Mitchell (Tom) of Granada Hills, CA, Jayne Ochs of Plymouth, David Dilley (Jan) of Alexandria, Theresa Landry of St. Michael, and Melissa Dilley of St. Joseph; treasured grandchildren Jay, Sean, Kenny, Ashlee, Christopher, Josh, Nathan, Cari, Lauren, Emily, Olivia, Courtney, Madison and Paige, along with great grandchild Shia. Rosemary will forever be remembered by her devoted brothers, Lawrence (Peewee), (Valerian) Larry, Harold and Louie and her sisters-in-law, Kathy (Larry), Pat (Harry) and Jan (Louie); her in-laws of 61 years are Dennis Dilley, Virgil and Amy Dilley, Jim Taylor and all her nieces and nephews. There are countless friends and family whom were blessed to know her as well. Rosemary loved her family and the family gatherings, especially the impromptu ones at the family home. She was a great cook, devoted mother, wife, grandmother, auntie and friend. She was an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella and Christian Women. She was also devoted to Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). The monument dedicated to the unborn babies at the parish cemetery was one of her proudest accomplishments.

Rosemary was preceded in death by 12 siblings, her parents, unborn daughter Theresia and one granddaughter Cari.

Rosemary touched the lives of many people with her smile and kindness, and maintained her trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 4th, 2011, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Relatives and friends may call after 9:30 AM on Friday at the church. Burial will take place in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life or donor’s choice.