Rosemary Ciavarella

Rosemary Ciavarella of Mandan, ND, passed into the Lord’s care at the age of 89, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer on November 6, 2017.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 10:30 am at Spirit of Life, Mandan, ND with Msgr. Chad Gion as celebrant. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 10:00 am.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 3:00-8:00 pm at Weigel Funeral Home, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Rosemary was born on October 29, 1928 in Glendive, MT, to Edward and Gertrude (Jensen) Needham.  The family moved to Mandan, ND where Rosemary was a 1946 graduate of Mandan High School.  She married the love of her life, Leonard Ciavarella, on April 17, 1948 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan. They were blessed with three children, Lynda, Jim, and Blaine. Rosie and Lenny’s 69 years of marriage wasn’t always easy but it was always filled with faith, love, and devotion, which was an inspiration to all who knew them. Rosemary’s strong and abiding faith guided and carried her throughout her long, wonderful life.

She enjoyed people, working hard, and keeping busy.  Her employers included Mandan Creamery, Blue Ribbon Hatchery, Mandan Security Bank, and Gate City Bank where she retired in 1981.

After retirement, Rosemary loved “giving back” to the Spirit of Life Church Catholic Church by volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister, assisting with their Soup Kitchen, and helping with Parish funeral lunches where she was often asked to bring her famous zucchini casserole.  Her retirement was also filled with fishing, camping, and playing cards with friends and relatives. She and Lenny enjoyed traveling and week-end dances where they impressed the crowd with their lively polkas and waltzes. Rosie also enjoyed casino outings filled with fun, laughter, many friends and sometimes a wee bit of Irish luck!

She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary and Railway Credit Union Senior Express Club.

Rosemary enjoyed a life well lived and is survived by her devoted husband, Leonard, her loving daughter Lynda (George) Doll of Mandan and her caring son, Jim (Gloria) Ciavarella of Alexandria, MN.  Her six grandchildren, who were the joys of her life: Kari Ciavarella Jesch of Apple Valley MN, Jason (Nikki) Doll of Mandan, Bryan (LaRena) Doll of Mandan, James (Jessica) Ciavarella of Plymouth, MN, David Ciavarella of Memphis TN, and Tanya Doll of Mandan, ND. Rosemary adored her great-grandchildren: Grace, Anna, Kaydin, Peyton, and Evan and welcomed with open arms great step grand-children: Braden, Saylor, Sofia, Mathis, Taimyra (Andy), and Hunter.  She was blessed with great, great, step-grandchildren: Kieryn, Fifi, and Akela.  Rosemary is also survived by her fun-loving sister: Corrinne Olson of San Leandro, CA, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law: Cecelia and Herman Dosch and Joe and (Betty, Carol) Ciavarella.  She will be missed by many nieces and nephews and dear friends who enjoyed her quick wit and feisty spirit.

Rosemary was preceded in death of her infant son: Blaine, parents: Edward and Gertrude Needham, brother: Charles Needham of Union City, CA, father-in-law and mother-in-law: Luigi and Rose Ciavarella, sisters-in law and brothers-in law: Herman and Adelaide Ciavarella, Michael Ciavarella, Katherine and Adam Bernhardt, Dorothy and Ralph Weber, Donna and Leo Miller, Anton and Agnes Ciavarella, and Kenneth and Valarie Ciavarella.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Spirit of Life Outreach.