Rosenele H. Zack

Rose Zack of Williamston, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, April 12 at home with her family at her side. She is survived by Everett, her loving husband of 52 years. She also leaves behind many family members who loved her dearly: her children – Lizabeth, Richard, Michael and Amy; daughter-in-law Elizabeth and son-in-law Michael Moore; grandchildren – Ellianna, Benjamin, Adelyn, Samuel, and Olivia; siblings Fritz, Betty, Barb, Johnny, Eva, and Margaret; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Rose was born in Chicago on June 22, 1941, to Rosemary and Nelson Hartrich. She was the first of nine children, two of whom passed away in recent years (Therese and Patty). After graduating from Longwood High School, she went on to complete her degree in sociology and history at Mount Mary College. Inspired by the Kennedy-era call to service, she started her career as a social worker helping low-income families on Chicago’s west side.

Rose and Ev met in Chicago through each of their best friends. After dating long-distance while Ev finished his law degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., they were married October 9, 1965. They lived for a few years in Madison, Wisconsin where Ev served as a JAG Officer in the U.S. Air Force. Two of the four children were born there. Rose and Ev moved to the Lansing area in 1968 so Ev could start his law practice at the Fraser law firm. They bought their first house and had two more children. Rose stayed at home to raise the four children, making home-cooked meals, teaching them baseball and tennis, and even sewing some of their clothes. She also gave them the blessings of a large extended family and summers in a little paradise called Onekama.

When the children were older, Rose went to work at Wild Birds Unlimited, the first step in a long and devoted career of bringing people and nature together. As owner and operator of the store, she inspired many people to take up the hobby of back-yard bird feeding, giving regular advice on how to keep the squirrels away. Her enthusiasm and support helped foster a wide-ranging community of bird lovers. As one friend said, “I think of her every time I fill the feeders.” In 2002, the WBU company headquarters recognized Rose’s gift of her “time, energy, enthusiasm, creativity and sharing with others” with the Wild Birds Unlimited Franchisee Honor Award.

Beyond family and work, Rose always found time to serve her community. She was a long-standing member of St. John Student Parish where she was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Parish Council. She served on the board of Fenner Arboretum. She mentored young women in a “Moms to Mom” program. When volunteering for individual causes was not enough, Rose joined up with her good friend Donna Oade to establish the “Greater Lansing 100 Women Who Care”. Through their leadership, the organization has donated a half million dollars to numerous charitable groups around the community.

Rose knew deep in her heart and soul the true meaning of friendship. She was selfless, loving and generous to circles of friends that extended to all corners of the country over the many decades of her life.

Rose lived life guided by a profound commitment to her faith, family, friends and community. She will be missed on a grand scale.

Visitation at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, Sunday from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. John Church and Student Center, 327 MAC, East Lansing, Monday at 10 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m.