Schmelzer, Rosemary

Rosemary Schmelzer, age 90, left us to be with dad on March 4, 2026. Rosemary Catherine Scullion was born July 30, 1935, the daughter of Emmett and Toots Scullion. She graduated from Highland High School in 1953 and was married to Jacob (Jake) Schmelzer on July 14th of that same year, just prior to Jake's departure for Korea. After 61 years of marriage, Jake died on July 11, 2014.

Jake and Rosemary farmed in Highland for over 40 years and then moved "to town" in Highland in 1993. They were the parents of 12 children:  8 sons: Jacob, Jr (who died in 1973), Joe (Sandy), Highland, Jim (Pam), Brodhead, John (Lisa), Monroe, Jess (Ev), Highland, Jude (Kathy), Highland, Joel (Renee), Evansville, and Justin (Heather), Waunakee; as well as 4 daughters: Lil (John) Larson, Madison, Maggie Schmelzer, Oregon, Kate (Mark) Dobson, Montfort, and Laurie (Al) Heimsoth, Mineral Point. 

 Rosemary had 24 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, and too-many-to-count great-grandchildren. They all knew Grandma Ro would have cinnamon rolls and orange dip, two of her specialties, when they arrived. She also found contentment stitching at her sewing machine, tending her garden and preparing meals that brought her family together. Jake and Rosemary were part of a card club of six couples that played cards and traveled together for over 55 years. Rosemary was also a life-long member of Ss. Anthony and Phillip Catholic Church and worked at Walmart and then Lands' End in the hemming department, where she made some wonderful friends!

In 2024, she sold her home in Highland and moved to Stonefield Apartments in Dodgeville where she lived until her passing.  

Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Jake, son Jacob Jr., granddaughters Jessi and Kelby Schmelzer, sons-in-law Mike Wienkes and John David Schmelzer; her parents Emmett and Evelyn "Toots" Scullion; her mother- and father-in-law, Roy and Baptista Schmelzer; brothers Marty Scullion, Donald Scullion, Duffer Scullion; sister Patsy Prochaska; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Bob Schmelzer, Laverne Schmelzer, Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer, Norbert Pustina, Louis Yager, Jack Prochaska, Jim Riley,  LaVon Vorndran, Darlene Schmelzer, and Marie Schmelzer.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, Rosemary is survived by a brother, Emmett (Lynn) Scullion, three sisters, Dianne (Tony) Semonson, Georgia Riley; and Trudy (Tom) Benish, sisters-in-law Patsy Pustina and Suzette Yager, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and her mischievous cat, Cheeto.    

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Ss. Anthony & Philip Catholic Church, with Fr. Tafadzwa Kushamba officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until 10:45 am at the church. Burial will immediately follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, Highland.

Our family is eternally grateful to everyone who has been kind and patient with our mom over the past couple of years. A special thanks to: Bob Michek, Pat & Cindy Hying, Debbie Korb, Tyson Theilorn, staff and residents at Stonefield Apartments—especially Kenzie and Hope, and the staff at Agrace Palliative and Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Agrace.

McGuire-Peterson-Houck 

Funeral Home

Highland     608-929-4815

www.houckfuneralhomes.com