Rosalie D. Menhusen

Early in the morning of October 6, 2021, Rosalie Menhusen walked into heaven, into the arms of her savior.  Rosalie Delilah (Dillinger) Menhusen was born in Smith Center, KS, November 21, 1940, the second daughter of Sidney Clyde and Eva Delilah (Tedrow) Dillinger.  As a Methodist ministers daughter, they moved frequently. Rosalie attended elementary schools at Dresden, Selden, and Bird City, KS, and High School at Sharon Springs, graduating in 1958. She graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1963 with a B.A in chemistry with minors in math and education.

She was married to Jon B Menhusen on August 13, 1961. To this union, they had a son, Philip Allen, and a daughter, Penny Elizabeth.

Rosalie felt that one of the most important responsibilities of any generation is to prepare the next generation. In her careers as teacher, mother, and grandmother, she devoted herself to this aim. She taught science and math at Burr Oak High School for 1 year and at Mankato High School for 22 years (1964-65, 1976-96). She continued with private tutoring, volunteering at the school, and substitute teaching for many years after retirement.

In 1987, Rosalie was named Distinguished Teacher by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.  The Scholars’ Bowl team which she coached qualified for State in 1991.  In 1993 four of her students qualified for State with their science projects at the KS Jr Academy of Science. In 1993 and 1996 she was nominated by former students for “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.” Many of her students went on to get degrees in science and math, crediting “Mrs. Menhusen” for sparking their wonder and passion.  Her chemistry room right off the school cafeteria would occasionally create interesting smells for a cafeteria, as the students worked in the lab.  Those walking by her room would often see ½ the class up at the chalk board, working on problems, while the others tried to help from their desks.  They also might hear the whole class repeating songs or chants that Rosalie had devised to help the students in remembering algebra rules.  A rare treat was for the physics class to cross the street to her home and use the basement pool table to learn about angles and Newton’s Laws.

Rosalie was a member of Chapter CN, P.E.O., Harmony United Methodist Women, Rebecca Circle, and the Mankato Association of Professional Educators, serving in many offices in all.  At Harmony U.M. Church, she played the organ, was in the bell choir and chancel choir, and assisted with Jr. Choir for 20 years. She continued to play the organ even with numb fingers and toes until her back was unable to tolerate it, then she switched to the piano which she played for church until her last month on Earth. She was a committed, active member of the Board of Directors of the State Exchange Bank for 30 years, and was the Jewell County Blood Drive Coordinator for the American Red Cross for approximately 10 years.

Rosalie embodied the phrase, “You will know we are Christians by our love.” She served and loved others, and especially her husband, Jon, whom she loved with all of her heart.  She fought off terminal cancer for a decade longer than anyone expected, because of sacrificial love. They were life-partners in every sense of the word, caring for each other, singing together, dancing together, going to concerts and car races together, karaoke and Sunday School, canoeing on the lake (despite being afraid of water and unable to swim) and hosting family and friends together.  All the grandchildren, nieces and nephews have wonderful memories making cookies with Grandma/Aunt Rosie in her kitchen.  She was the creator of the famous Aunt Rosie rolls, and every one of her daughters, nieces, and grandchildren wore her treasured hand-made outfits. She set goals for her oncologist of seeing her youngest grandchild graduate high school, then to attend one then two of her grandchildren’s weddings, and then to see her great-grandchild, Ruby Joy join our family, then to see her oldest grandchild go into ministry and receive her Master’s of Divinity degree, and most recently, her 60 ^th wedding anniversary.

Survivors include: Husband, Jon Menhusen; Son, Philip Menhusen and wife Lori of Mankato; and daughter Dr. Penny Jeffery and husband Arlen of Wichita. Five grandchildren: Beth Graverholt (Brett), Emma Walker (Dakota), Anna Menhusen, Allison and Eric Jeffery. Great-Granddaughter, Ruby Joy Walker; a sister, Coralyn Kaufman, Mankato, and a brother Rollin Dillinger, Wichita, plus six nieces and nephews.

Memorials to Harmony United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, Rosalie Menhusen Scholarship Fund through the Mankato Endowment Association, or the Jewell County Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at Harmony United Methodist Church Monday, October 11 at 10:30 a.m..  Burial will to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, with Pastor Jim Rice officiating.   Visitation will be held at Melby Mortuary on Sunday, October 10, 2-4 pm, with family receiving friends.  For online condolences, please visit www.melbymortuary.com