Blackmer Funeral Home

Rose Marie “Rosie” Gortsema, 77, of Grangeville, passed away

Rosie was born May 23, 1932 at Grangeville, a daughter of Richard and Zelma Jess Seay.  She attended Grangeville schools, graduating from Grangeville High School in 1950.  She married Wilbur M. Gortsema on June 1, 1950 at Grangeville.  She worked for Sam and Muriel Lindsey as a housekeeper before going to work at Lindsley’s Furniture as an interior decorator. Mr. Gortsema passed away in 1974 from a logging accident.  She ran Mac’s Bar and Restaurant in White Bird in the 1980’s and then returned to interior decorating and retired in the mid 1990’s.   

She was a member of the Grangeville Elks Lodge. 

She like to fish on the South Fork of the Clearwater River and Mill Creek.  She also enjoyed gardening, especially raising flowers. 

She is survived by her children, Rod and wife Teena Gortsema of Orofino, Connie Carlin of Arlington, Washington, Monty “Butch” and wife Dawn of Proctor, Minnesota, and Debbie Armstrong of Arlington, Washington; one brother, Dick and Juanita Seay and their children of Grangeville; grandchildren, Alicia and Guy Ellibee of Clarkston, Brian Gortsema and Christi Gortsema both of Grangeville, Cory Carlin of Trinidad, Colorado, Mathew Armstrong of Everett, Washington, Trisha Gortsema and Josh Gortsema, both of Chardon, Nebraska, and Shauna Gortsema of Crawford, Nebraska; seven great grandchildren, four step grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wilbur; and one sister, Pat Brown. 

A private family service will be held at a later date.   

Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.