H. Rosemary Brandenburg passed from this life in Taos Oct. 29, 2016. She was born February 21, 1924 on the family farm outside Oxford, Kansas, to Clarence David and Myrtle Elsie (Muse) Frambers. The family moved to Raton when Rosie was a child. At age 15 she lost her mother and soon became a nanny for the Brewer family of Raton. After finishing her studies and graduating from Raton High in 1942, she moved with the Brewer family to Red River to help at the Monte Vista Lodge.
Rosie met Johnny Brandenburg in the summer of 1941. They married December 1945 after he returned home from serving in World War II. They chose to start their life and family together in Red River. As Red River grew, they built the Siesta Lodge and later opened a grocery store on Main Street. The family would spend their time between Red River and Raton – but Red River was always home.
Rosie dedicated her life to her family and good friends. She was an avid lover of nature; pinecones, chipmunks, chickadees, the river, and aspens in autumn were among her favorites. She never met a flower she didn’t like. She savored every bite of chocolate, adored her furry feline-Kita, and loved a family gathering. Her kindness, warm heart, generosity and quick wit will be sorely missed and forever remembered.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Brandenburg; brother Raymond Frambers; son-in-law, Cecil “Tiny” Kite and grand-daughter, Jessica Brandenburg. She is survived by her children; Kathleen (Mike) Vukonich of Raton; JD (Renay) Brandenburg of Red River; Rosemary “Cokie” (Rod) Dickinson of Clovis, New Mexico, and Pamela Kite of Eagle Nest; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children.
Updated: Funeral mass will be held on 11 a.m., Thursday (Nov. 3) at St. Edwin’s Catholic Chapel in Red River followed by a 1 p.m. Memorial Gathering at the Red River Community House.
Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. For more information, or to sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com.
