In Memoriam ~ RoseMary Goossens Posted on February 20, 2023 in Obituaries RoseMary (Berres) Goossens May 7, 1926 – February 15, 2023RoseMary Goossens, age 96, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023 RoseMary was a second generation of a multigenerational legacy of affiliation with St. John’s Abbey, St. John’s Preparatory School, St. John’s University, and The College of St. Benedict, beginning with her father, Charles N. Berres, who attended SJU in 1920 – 1921. RoseMary and Jim (deceased 1994) were lifelong supporters of St. John’s and St. Benedict’s. RoseMary is daughter of Charles N. Berres, OblSB (SJU), sister of Rev. Peregrin (Jerome) Berres, OSB (SJU ‘53), Paul (formerly Rev. Blaise, OSB) Berres (SJU ‘59), and Caroline Berres, OSC (CSB ‘87); mother of James (SJP ’69), Patricia (CSB ’77), Edward (SJP ’74, SJU ‘78), Michael (SJP ‘75), Paul (SJP ’79, SJU ’83), Clare (CSB ’84), Robert (SJU ‘86), and Elizabeth (CSB ‘87); grandmother to Peter Wylie (SJU ‘98), David Goossens (SJU ‘02), Suzanne Goossens (CSB ‘07), Hannah Goossens (CSB ’) and Luke Goossens (SJU); and aunt and Godmother to Patty (Malone) Gramke (CSB ‘ 97). Over the decades, RoseMary and family had fond memories of visiting and living on the campuses of St. John’s and St. Ben’s, including family treks to visit her brothers when they were members of the community, keeping the kids from falling into the fish pond at St. Ben’s, monitoring construction and then attending the consecration the “new” Abbey Church, attending Prep School family picnics, attending numerous graduations (including sitting through not one, but two Commencement speeches by the late Senator David Durenberger!), and celebrating Paul and Joan’s (CSB ’84) wedding at the Abbey Church. In the late 70’s RoseMary and Jim served on the Prep School Parent Council. Their service included assuming management of the St. John’s Bread booth at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, significantly enhancing that endeavor as a Prep School fundraiser. RoseMary was a person of strong Catholic faith, who embodied Benedictine values, serving as a model for her 13 children, 35 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 AM at The Church of St. Joseph, West St. Paul, MN on Thursday, February 23. Arrangements by Klecatsky & Sons.
