Longtime Stratton, Colorado resident Rosemary (Lobmeyer) Jostes died Saturday, December 31st, 2022, at the Washington County Nursing Home in Akron, Colorado.
Rosemary was born October 4th, 1931, to Mary (Gerstberger) and J.H. (John) Lobmeyer in Kinsley, Kansas. She was the third of six children, having two sisters and three brothers. Rosemary attended Saints Peter and Paul Grade School in Kinsley, Kansas. Three of her four years of high school were spent at Sacred Heart Academy with her cousin, Jean Lobmeyer. Her junior year, Rosemary attended Stratton High School because the family had moved from Kinsley, Kansas to Vona, Colorado. She returned to Sacred Heart and graduated from there in 1949.
After graduation, Rosemary returned to Colorado and began working for Dr. R.C. Beethe’s office in Burlington. During this time, she met Eugene (Gene) Jostes from Stratton and when he returned from serving in the Army, they were engaged. On October 21st, 1952, they were married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Stratton, Colorado. To this union were born five children: Jane (Roy) Ingram of Kimball, Nebraska, Kent (Daneen) Jostes of Stratton, Colorado, Kevin Jostes of Oakley, Kansas, Kurt Jostes and Dayla Hertneky of Burlington, Colorado and Keith Jostes of Burlington Colorado.
Rosemary and Gene purchased the Gambles store in Stratton from Mike and Alyce Lewis in 1963. Until that time, Rosemary was a “stay at home” mom. They sold the store in 2008 to enjoy a few years at home together. Before the store, clothes were always hung out on the clothesline, there were lots of homemade foods and canned veggies and jellies and there were many clothing articles sewn. Every year Rosemary would make matching Easter dresses for herself and Jane. She was active in the St. Charles Altar and Rosary Society and the PTO of St. Charles Academy (until it closed). She was also a member of the Golden Opportunity Home Demonstration Club for many years. Rosemary also enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardens over the years and reading books. LOTS of books! She crocheted many baby afghans and potholders too!! As they got older, Rosemary and Gene were active in the Stratton Senior Citizen events and meals. Mom and Dad also belonged to a pinochle club for many years.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents John and Mary Lobmeyer and her father and mother-in-law John and Marguerite Jostes. Her brothers and their wives Bob and Betty, Kenneth and Jody Lobmeyer, along with her brothers and sisters-in-law Don Pelle, Delores and Herman Erbert, Gerard and Louise Jostes, LaVonne and Darrell Taylor, Con Jostes, Herb Jostes, Bill Day and Bill Proksch.
Rosemary is survived by her five children, 14 grandchildren: Christopher, Karl (Tiffany Ramos) Gabe (Tori) Ingram, Alissa (Brandon) Bowers, Phillip (Megan) Jostes, Danika (Braydon) Maxwell, Maura (TJ) Hernandez, Tyleen (Cody) Jensen, Madison (Dylan) Jostes, Johnna (Lukas) Jostes, Anna Jostes, Derek (Ashley) Jostes, Kezia (Jason) Brandon, Karlee (Dusty) Baker and 24 great-grandchildren: Kevin, Adeline, Mackenzie, Baylor, and Carter Ingram, Triston and Dayton Bowers, Kate and John Jostes, Gunnar and Royce Maxwell, Kendan, Kooper, Kyran and Emersyn Hernandez, Quentin and Aubrey Jensen, Dakota and Aaron Jostes, Jessica, Kaylynn, and Jordayn Brandon, and Jaykob and Everett Baker. Rosemary is also survived by sisters Joan Pelle, Gladys (Doug) Chase and brother Larry (Dianne) Lobmeyer. Sisters in-law JoAnn Day, Carmen Jostes, Elaine (Russell) Hubbard, Rita Proksch and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rosemary’s name by mail to Dynamic Dimensions Inc 567 18th St. Burlington, CO or Washington County Nursing Home 650 W. Green House Dr. Akron, CO 80720 or by mail to 377 15th St. Burlington, CO 80807.