Her passion was teaching and for 44 of her 52 years spent teaching young children were in Hermantown.

Rosemarie Elaine (Brown) Williams, the daughter of Wallace and Zelma (Ditsworth) Brown,  passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010, at Good Samaritan Society in Estherville at the age of 80.

Rosemarie was born November 6, 1929, in Center Township in rural Estherville, Iowa. She graduated from Center Township High School in 1946. She attended Iowa State Teachers College, University of Hawaii, University of Alaska, University of Utah, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado State College-Greeley, Drake University and Trinity University in Texas. She entered the United States Air Force in 1950. She taught school in Mallard, Ayrshire, Ventura, Waterloo and Charles City, Iowa, Naches, Washington and 44 years in Hermantown, Minnesota, for a total of 52 years.

Rosemarie retired in 2001 from Hermantown as a first grade teacher.

She earned a Master's Degree at Iowa State Teachers College and a Specialist Degree in Colorado. Most of her years of teaching were spent in first grade where she enjoyed teaching children to read and she had a lifelong commitment to learning. She volunteered at the Estherville Elementary School. She loved to travel and enjoyed extensive travel around the United States and the world. She received an award from the US Naval Construction Battalion for friendship with the military, the June Gills' Teacher Inspiration Award for inspiring students, was listed in Who's Who in American Teachers, and The Reading Is Fundamental Award from Mrs. Robert S. McNamara. She presented scholarships to her former students for over 30 years. She returned to her place of birth which she loved, when she retired from teaching.

Rosemarie was a member of the American Legion, life member of the NEA and member of the Gamma Theta Upsilon.

Rosemarie is survived by a sister, Kathleen Hewitt of Shakopee, Minnesota; a brother, David Brown and his wife, Shirley of Estherville; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Brown of Des Moines, Iowa and Shirley Wentzel of Granite City, Illinois; nieces, Nancy (John) Austin of Des Moines, Iowa, Laura Hewitt of Fridley, Minnesota, Julie (David) Bosacker of LeSueur, Minnesota, Heather (Paul) Nelson of Corinth, Texas; nephews, Steven (Kathy) Brown of Des Moines, Craig (Janet) Brown of Ankeny, Iowa, Charles (Jana) Wentzel of Collinsville, Illinois, Jim (Diane) Brown of Mokena, Illinois, Paul (Michelle) Hewitt of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Chuck (Carrie) Brown of Simi Valley, California, Curt (Crissy) Brown of West Des Moines, Iowa, Andrew (Natalie) Brown of Estherville; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, LeRoy, Russell and Ronald Brown.

Visitation will be Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville, Iowa.

The funeral will be Tuesday at the funeral chapel, starting at 10:30 a.m. Sister Patrick Murphy will be officiating.

Interment will be at the East Side Cemetery in Estherville. Williams will receive military graveside rites by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91.