Rosanne Perala
SUPERIOR, WI — Rosanne Perala, 87, passed away at Villa Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center in Superior, WI on January 26, 2024. She was born in Detroit in 1936 to Kenneth and Sylvia (Mortti) Cline.
Rosie graduated from John A. Doelle Agricultural School in Tapiola, MI. She married Russell Perala, Sr. on December 4, 1954. They celebrated 56 years of marriage together.
Rosie was employed for over twenty years as a secretary at the Superior Board of Education. She taught the other secretaries how to knit and crochet during their lunch hours, and they referred to themselves as the “Happy Hookers”. She also served her community as a 4-H Leader for 17 years, was a member of the Hilltoppers Homemakers group, and a proud member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
Her family was her center. She loved to teach them crafts, cooking, and baking. She was the Pasty Queen and very well known for her Finnish prune tarts and cinnamon rolls. The kids called her Cookie Nana and many others referred to her as Smiling Rose for her cheerful outlook. She loved the Green Bay Packers and felt blessed to meet some of them while residing at New Perspective in Superior.
Rosanne is survived by her children: Russell, Jr. (Dawn) of Iron River, MI, Roger (Vivian), Ray (Linda), and Ross (Melissa) all of West Fargo, ND, and Roxanne (Mike) of Watertown, MN. Sisters Grace Mikkola of Baraga, MI, and Sara (Wayne) Rodemeier of Black Creek, WI, and one brother, John Cline, of Croswell, MI. She also enjoyed many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Benjamin and Kenneth, and special aunt, Tyne Mortti.
Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap Street in Superior, and will continue until the 1 P.M. funeral service with Pastor Tanner Howard officiating.
Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Superior following the service.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Rosanne’s name to the Pilgrim Lutheran Church Youth.
The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guest book, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.