Monday, March 14th, 2022
Victoria Rosenbeck
Victoria Clara (Zink) Rosenbeck, age 102, of Coldwater, died Friday, March 11, 2022 at Briarwood Village in Coldwater. She will be in our hearts and minds and remembered as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to five children, Gary (Hally) Rosenbeck of Appleton, WI; Cheryl (Gene) Goodwin of Springboro, OH; Dennis (Rosalie) Rosenbeck of North Charleston, SC; Judy (Greg) Popovich of Batavia, IL; and Scott (Angela) Rosenbeck of Jackson, MI; 15 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, siblings and in-laws, Linus (Mary Kay) Zink; Cletus (Rosemary) Zink; Fredonia (Lee) Sitzman; and Clarence (Agatha) Zink; Veronica (Michael) Hilgeford; Ferdinand (Estelle) Rosenbeck; Leonard (Esther) Rosenbeck; Clarence (Rosemary) Rosenbeck; Pauline (Clarence) Gerlach; and great-grandson, Noah Uhlenhake.
The daughter of John and Lena Zink, Vicki was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio on October 13, 1919 - during the end of the Spanish flu outbreak. Growing up in the depression as the youngest of five children and without a father from age eight, Vicki learned the value of time, money, hard-work, and strong faith.
Her stories and memories give a valued insight to a time witnessed by a survivor of the Greatest Generation. During World War II, Vicki began her career at Westinghouse factories, in Lima, Ohio and Fairmont, West Virginia. Tenacious, strong-willed, and fiercely independent-a true feminist of her day-Vicki worked painstaking hours, using her knowledge of American Sign Language to train workers and provide supplies for the war.
After the war, Vicki worked as a caretaker for Father Lehman and the Holy Angels Catholic Church staff in Sidney. Though a devout Catholic, Vicki was a known prankster, even pulling a few practical jokes on Father Lehman himself which always ended in great laughs (often at her expense). Ultimately, her close relationship with Father Lehman led her to the man who stole her heart, the love of her life, Leo Rosenbeck. Lee and Vicki were married October 26, 1948 and began their lives together in Dayton where Lee learned tool and die and Vicki learned fine china as a clerk at Rike's Department Store.
Shortly after, they moved to Coldwater and built their home. Vicki tirelessly supported her husband in co-founding Coldwater Machine and Tool and raising their five children. They spent every Saturday night dancing, always following the best orchestra performing in the area. Every summer Vicki packed the family of seven in the car, camper in tow, to travel the country - not always knowing what direction they were heading but always making lasting memories. As an avid bridge player, she found time in her later years for cards and community bridge clubs.
Vicki was a sweet, gentle and devout woman of faith and family. Her determination, generosity and optimism gave her friends and family warm memories of a life lived for over a century. Together with her husband of 54 years, she gave selflessly with time, energy and encouragement to ensure that her children would understand responsibility and the rewards of hard work.She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater and the Coldwater American Legion and V.F.W. Auxiliaries.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 pm on Tuesday and 9 to 10 am Wednesday at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Everheart Hospice. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.
