Obituary of Rosemarie G. Keese

Rosemarie G. Keese Rosemarie G. Keese, 81, of Olympia, passed away on April 28, 2008. She was born June 19, 1926 to Ludwig and Margarethe Grahn. She was born and raised in Darmstadt, Germany. She traveled to Southern California in 1952 after immigrating to marry the love of her life, Henry G. Keese, in Malibu on May 1, 1952. They moved to Olympia and resided there until 1953, then moved to San Pedro, California leaving in 1955 to return to Frankfurt, Germany where she attended the Voice Academy and Opera School. In 1957 she resided in Darmstadt until 1959 when she once again made her home in Olympia. She was an opera singer from 1947 to 1950 at Darmstadt City Opera. She was a housewife and homemaker (Haus Frau) and most importantly, mom. Rosemarie’s many interests included music, ceramics,opera, sewing, baking, travel, playing the slot machines, spending time with her three boys and eight grandchildren, giving gifts and shopping! Rosemarie is survived by three sons, Peter Keese, of Kirkland, Mark Keese and John Keese, both of Olympia; brother, Karl Heinz Grahn, of Oberammergau, Germany; sister, Gisela Becher, of Darmstadt, Germany; daughters-in-law, Cindy, Pam and Debbie Keese; and eight grandchildren, Shawna, Laura, Timothy, Hannah, Naomi, Gabriel, Isaac and Jacob Keese. She was preceded in death by her husband on August 19, 1982. Memorial donations may be made in Rosemarie’s name to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Northwest.