Rosalie Clara Bargmann, 83, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2023, with family at her bedside. She was born on November 2, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. Rosalie was a beloved educator and musician, with a passion for philanthropy and the arts.
Rosalie is survived by her brother Theodore Bargmann of Elgin, Illinois, and her children and grandchild: Richard Brandon and wife Amy Skinner, Douglas Brandon, Erica Brandon and daughter, Cassandra. Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband, Jerald “Jerry” Griess, her mother, Agnes (Loeppert) Bargmann, and her father, Theodore Bargmann. Through Jerry she is survived by his family, and their cherished grandchildren: Vanessa, Kurtis, Sara, Acacia, Marc, and Tom.
Rosalie attended Fenton High School near Wood Dale, Illinois, where her family owned a Western Auto store. She went on to pursue higher education, earning her undergraduate degree from North Central College in Elementary Education. Rosalie met her former spouse, Ernest Brandon, at North Central and they went on to have three children.
Rosalie had lasting friendships from elementary, high school, and college - including a “round robin” of letters with her girlfriends that is still going after 62 years. Later in life, she was proud to have earned her graduate degree in Organizational Development from Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business.
Rosalie was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan, for many years where she enjoyed being part of the United Methodist Women and teaching Sunday School.
In 1989 she and Jerry married in Ann Arbor, and in 1997 they moved to Nederland, Colorado, and joined the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, where she often played the piano during church services. Additionally, her dedication and local support to Peak to Peak Rotary, The Hilltop Guild, and Peak to Peak Counseling (Richard & Amy’s family business) didn’t go unnoticed. She kept those treasured friendships dear to her even after leaving the area.
In her later years Rosalie moved to Greencastle, Indiana, and then to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to stay close to her beloved granddaughter, Cassandra.
A memorial service to celebrate Rosalie’s life will take place in the Chicago area in the Fall of 2023. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Native American Rights Foundation, an organization that was close to Rosalie’s heart.
