Rosi Reischer

"Rosi Reischer" KINGSFORD - Rosi Schwarzmantel Reischer, 92, of 1301 Woodward Ave., Kingsford, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, with her family and friends at her side at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford. She was born Aug. 16, 1911, daughter of Johanna and Samuel Schwarzmantel, Hahngasse 15, in Vienna, Austria. An only child, Rosi grew up within an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins from Austria, Hungary, and Moravia. She was always a good student and excelled at foreign languages, especially French. When she took an extra course in Italian, a friend in the class introduced her to a handsome young medical student, Adam Reischer, who also wanted to learn Italian and, even more get to know Rosi. After graduating from the Handelsakademie fur Madchen (high school) and earning a special diploma to teach French, Rosi helped support her parents by working as a multilingual secretary and translator for several businesses in Vienna, until 1938 when the Nazis invaded Austria and Jews were fired from their positions. Rosi found a business associate to sponsor her in England, and on Aug. 8, 1938, she left Vienna as a refugee. Eventually the same sponsor vouched for her fiance', and Rosi and Adam were married in a civil ceremony in London on Feb. 28, 1939, just before his quota number allowed him to emigrate to the United States. Unable to leave Austria, Rosi's parents were murdered in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. After many struggles as a refugee in wartime London, Rosi Reischer was finally able to enter the United States in 1944 as the wife of U.S. Army Lt. Adam Reischer, M.D. Rosi worked at the Newberry Library in Chicago until 1949. After many years in Dwight, Ill., the Reischer family moved to Kingsford in 1965. Rosi quickly made friends and become known and loved for her warm heart, love of life, lively intellect, and wonderful cooking. "Rosi's Roost" meant you were always welcome to a seat at the table, a fresh cup of coffee, something good to eat, and someone to listen to you. Rosi loved to hike, swim, and cross-country ski, as well as read, paint, listen to classical music, and play Scrabble. When her grandchildren visited, she loved to take them picnicking and swimming at Cowboy Lake. Rosi was a member of the Iron Mountain-Women's Club and the Great Books Club. In Dwight, she volunteered for several years as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She was a substitute teacher in the Iron Mountain area schools and is still known as "Madame" by those who learned French in her classes. Rosi Schwarzmantel Reischer is survived and mourned by her husband, Adam Reischer, M.D. of Kingsford; daughter and son-in-law, Jenny R. and Robert J. Redfern of Morgan Hill, Calif; grandson, and granddaughter-in-law, Jeremy D. Redfern and Karen J. Coates, currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand; granddaughter, Joanna L. Redfern of Albuquerque, N.M.; and the extended Redfern family. She is also survived by her cousin, Trude Dragonic, M.D. of Encino, Calif. "My wife was a typical, beautiful Viennese girl," says her husband. "She leaves many good and great friends in this area." Visitation will be held Monday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain. Memorial services will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Dr. Michael Zevitz will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. In remembrance of Rosi Reischer and in lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 1615 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, Mich., 49855, or to the Music Department at Kingsford High School. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Rosi Reischer online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Rosi Reischer

October 15, 2003