Adelgund (Ali) Rose Rettele Osterhaus Winterscheidt, 100, of Seneca, died, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at the Life Care Center in Seneca.

Adelgund (Ali) Rose Rettele Osterhaus Winterscheidt, born on June 6, 1922, in Kelly, Kansas, peacefully passed away at the age of 100. She was the ninth of 12 children born to William M. and Elizabeth (Hulsing) Rettele. Throughout her remarkable life, Ali Rose witnessed and embraced numerous life changes.

Ali Rose received her education at St. Bede’s grade school, Kelly High School, and Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, where she spent a year. Returning to Seneca, Kansas, she worked various jobs until she met Leonard H. Osterhaus. They married on June 6, 1946, in Kelly, Kansas.

Together, Ali Rose and Leonard were blessed with seven sons and two daughters: Alan, Leon, Terrence, Glenn, Janelle, Elizabeth, Steven, Kim, and Gary. The sudden passing of Leonard on April 15, 1958 (age 37) while on a business trip was a profound shock for Ali Rose. A woman of unwavering faith, she courageously raised her nine children, with the support of relatives, a city park across the street where they lived and cinnamon rolls. She often quipped “If I had a nickel for every cinnamon roll, I made, I’d be rich!”

Ali Rose, while raising her children, was employed as a receptionist at the Seneca Hospital. She regarded that job as a heavenly opportunity, thanks to Sister St. Mel and Sister Kathleen Flood.

In October 1970, Ali Rose married Elmer Winterscheidt, a man who had become her friend and companion when he moved next door. They shared a joyful decade together, filled with family, friends, and travels across the United States in their red, white, and blue van until Elmer’s passing in 1980.

Ali Rose, never one to be idle, began babysitting in Topeka. During her time there she met Earl Stoffer, whom she married in 1987. Earl passed away in 1996.

An avid lover of life and people, Ali Rose thoroughly enjoyed having conversations with anyone and everyone, often discovering a shared connection of being a distant relative or somehow knowing their family.

She had a lifelong passion for writing poems, crafting verses about her family, nature, work, and life. Many of her poems were published in local newspapers.

Ali Rose was known for her skill in playing cards, especially bridge and cribbage. She possessed the competitive “Rettele spirit” and often believed she was the only one who was dealt “unfavorable” cards.

She taught accordion lessons, played the organ for nursing homes, and found pleasure in dancing and singing. Her other interests included golfing, bowling, painting, crocheting, quilting, and playing the slots.

After residing at Terrace Heights for many years and no longer able to drive, Ali Rose moved to Topeka to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Eventually, she returned to Seneca where she made Country Place, an Independent Assisted Living facility, her home.

On June 6, 2022, Ali Rose joyously celebrated her 100th birthday with a Mass in her honor and a party attended by her loving family, relatives, and friends. The celebration brought her immense happiness and fulfilled a milestone she never expected to achieve. She received the centurion award from President Joe Biden and Ks Governor Laura Kelly.

Ali Rose was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, son Steven, five brothers: Ignatius, Matt, Wilfred, Anthony, William, and 5 sisters: Irmena Wietharn, Edith Bjelland, Marcella Rethman-Matthewson, Aurelia Heinen,

and Dorothy Kohake-Feichtinger.

She is survived by her 8 children and their spouses: Alan (Linda), Leon (Cathy), Terry (Cheryl), Glenn (Linda), Janelle (John) Clark, Beth (Donald ‘Buck”) Buckland, Kim (Nina), Gary (Lorene), 25 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, with one on the way, and 2 great-great children, with one on the way, sister Betty Altenhofen and brother-in-law Bud Feichtinger.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7  PM Friday, June 2, 2023 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital or Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Seneca, Kansas