Rosemary Ann Lamson

 

Rosemary Ann Lamson passed away on April 1, 2021, at the age of 84. She was born on February 6, 1937. She graduated from Cook County High School in 1955. Rosemary graduated from the College of St. Scholastica and then continued her studies at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a master’s degree in Public Health Administration in 1960. Rosemary received an M.A. degree in Psychology from the College of St. Scholastica in 1986; she completed certification for Parish Nursing at Luther Seminary in 1995.

Rosemary’s public health administration career began as Associate Director of Nursing at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, where she served from 1960- 1969. In 1969, Rosemary returned to Cook County with her growing family and was appointed Director of the Cook County Health Department. She served as Cook County’s Public Health Nurse until her retirement in September 1997. Rosemary was instrumental in establishing the home care program and annual cancer screening clinics in the county. Upon retirement, she became the Parish Nurse for both Bethlehem and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Cook County, as well as her winter church in Arizona.

Rosemary married Harry Lamson in 1961. They enjoyed raising their children in Grand Marais. Upon retirement, Rosemary and Harry enjoyed golf, traveling, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Summers were in Grand Marais and winters were in Arizona, until Harry passed away in 2016.

Rosemary was a lifelong member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and enjoyed playing in the handbell choir. She was a member of the Lioness Club, as well as the Lions Club, and was dedicated to the planning, preparation, and execution of the annual Fisherman’s Picnic for many years. She was selected as “Citizen of the Year” in 1986 for the Fisherman’s Picnic.

Rosemary was very active in community and church activities. She enjoyed cooking, especially lefse, berry picking, pie making, golf, swimming, and race walking. Rosemary was a fantastic cook!

She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren in Minnesota and Arizona. When her grandsons would come to Grand Marais, she would take them berry picking, exploring, rock skipping, paddle boarding, and zip-lining, even at the age of 75!

Rosemary also raised quarter horses while living in Illinois.

Rosemary Lamson is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Wallace “Doc” Smith and Rose Smith, her brother Russell (Lora) Smith, and her husband Harry Lamson. Also, her stepson David (Suzanne) Lamson, and her granddaughter Audra Lamson.

Rosemary is survived by her sons, Bob (Gayle) Lamson and Tom (Lucy Stephens) Lamson; her daughter Barbara (Kevin) Skillings; and four grandchildren: Andrew (Marist) Lamson, Anthony (Heather Murray, fiancé) Lamson, Ashley Lloyd, and James Russell Lamson.

A celebration of life service is planned for Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais, Minnesota.