We are saddened to announce that Rosalie Marie Gartzke passed away on March 25, 2021 at the age of 82. She was born on January 9, 1939 in Eureka, where she lived her entire life. Rose (as she liked to be known) was active and healthy until she suddenly passed away due to COVID-19, despite receiving excellent care and comfort in her last days at St. Joseph Hospital.

Rose will be mourned by her husband of 55 years, Curtis Gartzke; her daughters, Kris Ananda and Teresa Stringer, her husband Steve and her grandchildren Michael Sanders, Cory Sanders, Joseph Stringer and Cariana Escareno, her husband Braulio, her great-grandson Damien Escareno and her sister Shield Daggs. She was predeceased by her sister Ramona Downey.

Rose grew up with simply means and developed a strong sense of resourcefulness and tenacity. She enjoyed rose gardening, knitting and traveling with her husband. Rose was friendly and always had an entertaining story to tell with her playful sense of humor. Rose was very giving and was always there for people to offer her support with kind words and generous actions. She was a regular donor at her local blood bank.

Rose is greatly loved and will be missed by all who knew her: family, extended family, friends and all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

You don’t need to believe in Heaven to envision her escorted by the kindest of angels to a lush haven where she may rest in peace.

She will always live in our hearts.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Rosalie Gartzke’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.