Rosemary Digman

Rosemary Catherine (Steffen) Digman, 84, of Platteville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at Park Place Assisted Living in Platteville. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Father Steffen, Deacon Bill Bussan, and Fr. Blewett will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemtery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 12, 2018 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, where there will be a prayer service at 3:45 p.m. Friends may also call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Rosemary Digman Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Rosemary was born on April 27, 1934, on the Steffen homestead farm, the daughter of Frank L. and Florence (Klar) Steffen. Her mother passed away on April 8, 1943, and her dad later married Clara Bussan Tesmer, who then raised Rosemary and her siblings. Rosemary graduated from Platteville High School in 1952, and shortly after, met her future husband, Elmer Digman. They were united in marriage on April 11, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville, and remained lifelong members there. Rosemary worked alongside Elmer as they farmed together for most of their lives, raising beef cattle and hogs. She also cleaned houses for over 20 years. But above all, she was a mother and a backbone to her family.

She was a woman of faith and generosity who always thought of others before herself. She loved baking, trying new recipes, reading and gardening. She enjoyed feeding the birds, especially the hummingbirds. Spending time with family topped her list of favorites, and her eyes lit up when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren entered the room. The grace and courage with which she handled her 12-year battle with cancer was an inspiration to many.

Rosemary is survived by her six children, Ronald (Paula) Digman, Rita (Maynard) Miesen, Susanne (Vernon) Casper, Peggy (Rick) DeYoung, Mary (David) Kolstad, and Paula “Polly” (Mike) Timmerman; 29 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Fr. Francis “Jerry” Steffen, Tom (Gloria) Steffen, and Shirley Withrow; brother and sisters-in-law, Bernard “Bernie” Digman, Janice “Jan” Digman, Arlene Jones, and Kristine Digman; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer, on April 5, 2017; her parents; brothers-in-law, Jack Withrow, Arnold Digman, Eugene Digman, Robert Jones, and sisters-in-law Darlene Digman, and Beverly Digman.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice; staff at Park Place Assisted Living; Mark Hermann, MD, Tony Heiar, ARNP, and the Oncology team at Grand River Medical Group. Your care and kindness were exceptional.