Rose Marie Waletzko

With loved ones surrounding her, we watched our mother, Rose Marie Waletzko, 95, of Arcadia, slip into the arms of Jesus and join our father in Heaven on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Trempealeau County Health Care Center.

Rose was born on the family farm in rural Independence on July 10, 1930, to John and Julia (Weinch) Lyga. She was united in marriage to Aloizy Waletzko at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Independence on October 12, 1948. Together the couple farmed in North Creek and raised their children on a foundation of hard work and devotion to faith and family. She was a member of St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church, the Rosary Society and the PCCW. Rose worked side by side with her husband, Aloizy, on their dairy farm raising an award-winning Ayrshire cattle herd, to which they received top herd awards in the 1980’s. Rose also worked off of the farm, doing many jobs. When her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Wally, ran the Wagon Wheel Café, Rose was instrumental in working alongside Sharon for many years. After that chapter, they both went to work for Kwik Trip, where Rose retired after 15 years.

In her spare time, Rose loved to play a competitive game of Gin, feed and watch many birds, listen to good country music, and bake cookies to send along with all who visited her. She was proud of her Polish heritage and traditions. She especially enjoyed her time at the Trempealeau County Healthcare Center, because she was able to talk to her contemporaries speaking the Polish language. Rose had a warm and generous heart, selflessly giving to all of those around her.

Rose is survived by her children: Raymond of Ettrick, Dennis (Sue Wozney) of Arcadia, and Sharon (Gary “Wally”) Waldera of Arcadia; grandchildren: Keith, Tina (Tom) Johnston, Scott (Kara), Jessica Gilbertson, Bobbi Jo (Adam) Eide, Anita (Sam) Sobotta, and Dustin (Jamie); great-grandchildren: Dakota (Jaydin), Brad, Brian, Katie (Isaiah), Megan, Jamie, Flynn, Olivia, Zander, Alfie, Isabella, Cole, Max, Kane and Reed; brother: Ernie (Barbara) Lyga; brothers-in-law: Roger (Dianne) Waletzko and LeRoy (Rose) Waletzko; sister-in-law: Jeanette Tilghman; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers: Harry, Aloysie, Edmund (Florence), and Johnny Lyga; sisters: Dorothy (Ben) Kampa, Theresa Przybilla, and Lorraine Prokop; brothers-in-law: Ralph and Edmund Waletzko and Don Tilghman; sisters-in-law: Lorraine (Ron) Marsolek and Darlene (Richard) Kaiser; special friend of son, Ray: Meredith Galstad; and other relatives.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church, North Creek, with Father Kyle Laylan officiating. Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Tuesday, December 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Wozney-Killian Funeral Home in Arcadia, followed by the procession to Mass in North Creek. Burial will be in the church cemetery. To express condolences to her family online, please visit www.wozneykillianfh.com.