Rosemarie Elizabeth Echtenkamp

Rosemarie Elizabeth Echtenkamp passed away peacefully surrounded by her family early Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, at the age of 71. She was born on March 15, 1950, in Stuttgart, Germany to Else and Ferdinand Franz and immigrated to the United States with her parents and sister, Alide in 1951, residing in Mt. Morris, NY for a short period of time before moving to Denver, Colorado. Rosemarie attended East High School in Denver, graduating in 1968 and finished one year of college at Willamette University in Salem, OR before marrying Tom Echtenkamp in Denver on January 17, 1970. She went on to have 2 children; a daughter Anne and a son David and in 1975 relocated to MN where she lived in Brooklyn Park, Plymouth and then Rogers. In 1984 Rosemarie was diagnosed with MS which she took on with courage and determination for the remainder of her life. She retired from the Tennant Company in Golden Valley, MN in 1990 and was skilled in sewing and gardening. She loved flowers, animals, movies, her audible books, Words with Friends, going to the casino, the hottest most humid days MN could offer, and her family.

Survived by husband of 52 years, Tom, children Anne, and David (Kari), grandchildren, Dylan (Taylor), Madelyn, her beloved dog Blondie, sister Alide, brother-in-law Richard (Gail), niece Heidi and nephews John, Ben (Becky and Asher) and Kurt (Alicia and Lars).

Preceded in death by her parents, Else and Ferdinand Franz.

Her family would like to thank the amazing doctors, nurses and PCAs who cared for her through the years, especially through those last moments on Saturday. We are truly humbled and grateful for your care and empathy.

Rosemarie will be cremated, and a celebration of life is planned for when the weather is nicer. More details to come.

We ask that any memorials be sent to the MS Society- MN chapter, Animal Humane Society or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.