Rosalie Esther (Burgemeister) Finlayson 1-31-24

Rosalie Finlayson passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 after a courageous battle with heart failure. She was surrounded by family.
Rosalie was born on Aug. 8, 1948, to Albert and Dorothy Burgemeister. She was the second child in her family. Rosalie grew up on the family farm in Pleasant Valley, west of American Falls. She graduated from American Falls High School in 1966, where she was active in band, playing bassoon and was in marching band. She attended the University of Idaho graduating in 1970 with a BS in microbiology. While at college she remained active in music, playing in the UI marching band. She received her training in clinical laboratory science at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, WA.
Rosalie began her career as a Laboratory Medical Technologist in Caldwell, ID, working in Twin Falls, and finally settling at Elmore Hospital in Mountain Home. She was always excited about her work and loved the challenge of learning the latest technologies and equipment.
Rosalie loved square-dancing and it was at a square dance that she met the love of her life, Chuck Finlayson. They danced their way into marriage on April 2, 1978. With their marriage, Rosalie accomplished an amazing feat — she became a wife, mother, and grandmother all within weeks of turning 30! She was delighted to join Chuck’s four kids. She loved being part of their family as it grew with the addition of partners, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and recently, great-great-grandchildren. Rosalie nursed Chuck for many years until his death in 2007. She grieved his passing the rest of her life.
Although she had many hobbies, her true passion was her faith and her church. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mountain Home, over the years she served as president, treasurer, secretary, and board member of the Church Council. She was the music accompanist, choir director, and choir member.
Rosalie was loved and will be missed by her family: sister Edith (Richard) Kopp and her brothers, Alvin (Susan) Burgemeister and Arnold Burgemeister. She will also be missed by Chuck’s children: Lucile (John) Allen; Cheri (Jeff) Hulo; Craig (Cindy) Finlayson, and Mark (Ada) Finlayson. Rosalie was always attentive to her many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The family would especially like to thank her caregiver, Rebecca; Kate and Zee at St. Luke’s Boise; and Bud for his many years of being “neighborly”.
Rosalie’s service was held at Grace Lutheran Church, 2422 American Legion Blvd., Mountain Home, Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. Funeral arrangements were handled by Rost Funeral Home, Mountain Home. Donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 455, Mountain Home, ID 83647.