Obituary of Rosalie B. Felzien

Rosalie Bessie Kirby Felzien passed away on Tuesday April 18, 2017 in Parker, Colorado. She was 91 years old. Rosalie was born to John Kirby and Myrtle Carl Kirby on the family farm outside Vernon, Colorado on August 24, 1925. Her mother died when she was 5 years old, so she grew up working the farm with her father, brothers and sisters. At age 14, she became a nanny for a family living nearby. She eventually moved to California for a short time and then to Denver where she worked and lived with her sister Irene. She married Harold Felzien on March 15, 1953 in Denver, Colorado. They had three children: Janice in 1954, Paul in 1956 and Donna in 1964. She worked as a seamstress in the family dry cleaning business until Janice arrived. Following Janice’s birth, she ironed clothing at home for multiple families in Burlington for 60 years. She enjoyed the work, being able to work from home, and the friendships she developed over the years with her customers. She was an active lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary where she held various positions and was the fundraising chair for the American Cancer Society for several years. She was a volunteer travel counselor for nearly 20 years at the Colorado Welcome Center, beginning when the center opened in 1988. She volunteered over 4000 hours at the center. She was also an active volunteer at the McArthur Senior Center and the Meals on Wheels program for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Myrtle, her husband Harold, her brothers Eugene and Louis, her sisters Etta Mae Short, Marie Cranmer and an infant sister and her son-in-law Rodney Bradley. She is survived by her children Janice Bradley of Pueblo West, Paul Felzien (Karen) of Topeka KS, and Donna (Paul) Malsam of Parker; her sister Irene Kruger of Arvada; her grandchildren Erica Bradley of Pueblo, Danielle Bradley of Pueblo West, Melinda (Dana) Field of Silver Lake KS, Curtis (Amanda) Von Lintel of Topeka KS, Adam Malsam and Rachel Malsam both of Parker as well as 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.