Rosetta Louise Kiefer

Rosetta “Rose” Louise Kiefer of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, at the age of 90. Rosetta was born on August 24, 1935, in Hebron, Neb., to Frank N. Slagle and Louise (Fangmeier) Slagle. Gage County, Neb., records list her mother's name as Anna Louise Fangmeier Slagle. Rosetta was baptized and confirmed at Zion American Lutheran Church in Hubbell, Neb. She grew up on her family's 160-acre crop farm near Hubbell, where they raised corn and wheat and cared for cows, pigs, chickens, and a horse. Rosetta attended a one-room country schoolhouse through the sixth grade, walking a mile each day to school. She then attended school in Reynolds, Neb., for grades seven through eleven. In 1952, she moved with her parents to Fort Collins, where the family lived in a one-room Quonset hut on Highway 1. Rosetta graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1953. Rosetta married Kenneth Kiefer in 1957 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Fort Collins. They welcomed two daughters, Louise Kordeliski and Janet Gillespie, both born at Poudre Valley Hospital. Her first job was as a waitress, as they were called in those days. She later worked for Teledyne Water Pik in Fort Collins before beginning a 21-year career at Hewlett-Packard, where she served as a lead on the assembly line. During her years with Hewlett-Packard, she traveled to California and Singapore. Following her retirement, Rosetta volunteered for more than 21 years at Poudre Valley Hospital, now UCHealth, serving with the Healthy Kids Club through the Aspen Club. Rosetta had an adventurous spirit and held three passports during her lifetime. Her travels took her to England, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Hungary, France, Italy, Belgium, Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and Alaska. She also enjoyed a memorable cruise along the Rhine River. Rosetta is survived by her daughters, Louise Kordeliski and Janet Gillespie; six grandchildren, Jenny Wright, Kristina O'Keefe, Brenda Schannep, Anne Walker, Johannah Gillespie, and Abby Gillespie; eight great-grandchildren, Marlie O'Keefe, Avery O'Keefe, Ellie Wright, Declan Wright, J.J. Schannep, Harper Walker, Judah Schannep, and Asher Wright; and many nieces and nephews. Rosetta was preceded in death by her parents, Frank N. Slagle and Louise Slagle; her brother, Melvin Slagle; and her sisters, Eva Slagle King, Bonita Slagle, and Nadine Slagle. The family is appreciative of all the prayers, support and love during these times. The Celebration of Life Service for Rosetta “Rose” L. Kiefer will be on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 10 am at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80525. A columbarium inurnment and luncheon will follow. If you are unable to attend the service in person, we invite you to watch it by going directly to: live.redeemerconnect.com. In leu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that a memorial donation be made in memory of Rose to Redeemer’s NextGen Students and Kids Ministry.

Rosetta Louise Kiefer

August 24, 1935 - May 25, 2026