Rosalyn Joanne Bourgeois, age 88, resident of Two Rivers, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with family at her side.

Rosalyn was born in the town of Ahnapee (Algoma) on December 2, 1937, to Arwed and Virgin (Krueger) Wolter. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Algoma High School with the class of 1955. She then furthered her education at the Door-Kewaunee County Teachers College, where she earned her teaching degree. She later earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, along with a minor in Library Science from Silver Lake College, and a Lay Minister of Music from the Green Bay Diocese. Rosalyn was united in marriage to Melvin A. Bourgeois on December 26, 1957, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dykesville, WI. The couple was blessed with four children and 65 years of marriage. Melvin preceded her in death on January 31, 2023.

Rosalyn and her brothers learned about hard work, love of animals, and gardening from their parents while growing up on the family farm. She was fortunate to live near her grandparents and enjoyed spending time with them. She loved wild flowers on nature hikes, gardening, and canning, and she was a talented baker, appearing on television in high school for her state fair blue ribbon custard pie. Her piano lessons began at age six and she began studying organ in the 8th grade. Her love of music, talent, and hard work turned into a lifetime passion and she shared this gift by serving as a music minister for more than seventy years. She was an accompanist for weddings, funerals, solo and ensemble competitions at various high schools, family plays, and entertainment parties, and over the years she played at several church denominations due to organist shortages. Her last mass was played in December, 2025, at the Mausoleum where her husband is laid to rest.

In 1957, she started her teaching career in a one room rural school in Rosiere, WI, where she taught grades 1-8 with responsibilities for the entire curriculum plus routine building maintenance. In 1959, they moved to Mishicot where she served as a substitute teacher in the Mishicot School District. She then taught Elementary School at Holy Cross School in Mishicot. She also was a Librarian at Holy Cross and a Title I Summer School teacher at Mishicot High School. She served as the Music Coordinator for the Holy Cross Parish from 1965-1981. She then transitioned to Holy Redeemer in Two Rivers, where she held the position of Liturgist Musician from 1981 until her retirement around 2000.

Rosalyn was a very dedicated and active member of the Catholic Church. She served on the Holy Cross Altar Society from the 1960s until November, 2023. Over the years at Holy Cross, she was part of the Religious Education Program and worked with the School Board, and she was also part of the original Martha choir. In addition, she was a member of the Green Bay Diocesan Vicariate V for many years, serving as Vice President, President, and holding various board positions. She was involved in the Green Bay Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and held various positions including President from 1995-1997. She also was a member of the Province of Milwaukee Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, serving as President and representing this region at the National Conference. She served on the National Council of Catholic Women’s Service Commission. She held numerous positions within these organizations, was involved in planning, held board positions, and was happy to serve. She always was the one who kept the meetings moving with Robert’s Rules of Order and became the lady-to-go-to if they needed to know anything about the Rosary or the May Crowning Ceremony.

Rosalyn was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, and friend. She was dedicated to her children and tried to never miss a performance, concert, game, play, or activity they were involved in. She loved working in her flowerbeds and gardens. Rosalyn and her husband Melvin cared for the “Dancing Cranes” flowerbed on the Mariners trail from its inception through Melvin’s passing. She loved the outdoors and was always pointing out different birds and flowers wherever she went. She was an avid world traveler and enjoyed many trips with family and friends.

She is survived by her children: Thomas (Karen) Bourgeois of St. Cloud, Florida, the late Susan (Kim) Hamilton of Ramsey, Minnesota, David Bourgeois and Lukas Bagemehl of Sheboygan, WI, Mary Kay (Melissa) Dupke-Bourgeois of Park Falls, WI; her Sister-in-Law Karen Wolter of Green Bay WI; her grandchildren: Justin (Melissa) Bourgeois, Joshua Bourgeois, Stephanie (Ricky) Loftis, Laura Hamilton and Griffin Comerford, Grant Hamilton and Morgan Nelson, and Johanna Hamilton; and her great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Genevieve, Trevor, and Caleb Bourgeois; Quinn, Hadley, Murphy, McKenna, and Lincoln Loftis. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arwed and Virgin Wolter; husband, Melvin Bourgeois; a daughter, Susan Hamilton; and two brothers, Bryan and Lloyd Wolter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Pleier, with entombment in Calvary Chapel Mausoleum, Manitowoc.

A luncheon will follow the funeral mass and will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman.

Friends may call at the Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home, 344 S. State Street, Mishicot on Friday evening, March 13th from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will conclude the evening at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church Saturday morning from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m.

The funeral service will be live-streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.

Online condolence messages may be shared at LambertEckert.com.

Her children have created a memorial to be donated to the Mariners Trail and the Mishicot School Music Department.

Special Thank You to Aurora Hospice for their kindness and care.