December 21, 1946 – Sunday, October 12, 2014
Service Information
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Buffalo, MN
Monday, October 20, 2014
11:00 A.M.
Visitation Information
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, MN
Sunday, October 19, 2014
3-6 PM
Rosemary (Rosie) Tabbut, resident of Buffalo, MN, died on October 12, 2014 in her home after a five plus year battle with ovarian cancer. Rosie was born on December 21st, 1946 in Jackson, MN to Claire and Marianne Lutterman. She was the second of five children and spent her childhood years on their family farm in Sherburn, MN. Countless hours were spent practicing piano before and after school which fostered her love of music and paved the way for her future. At the age of twelve, she auditioned and was chosen, along with her brother Roger, to attend the nationally televised Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New York City. For the summers following her junior and senior years of high school, she worked as a live in nanny in Edina, MN. She graduated from Sherburn High School in 1964. She attended her freshman and sophomore years of college at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN as a music major on a full ride scholarship. Rosie met and started dating David Tabbut at Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes, MN, the summer of 1965. They both worked at the resort, David as a cook, and Rosie as part of the music and entertainment staff as well as a waitress. Rosie transferred to the University of Minnesota for the remainder of her undergraduate studies and graduated in 1969. Many years later, she received her Masters Degree from the University of St. Thomas in 1984.
In the Spring of 1969, Rosie began her teaching career at Bloomington Public Schools as an Elementary Music Consultant. On August 9th, 1969, David and Rosie were married in Sherburn, MN on a blistering hot day. They lived together in an apartment in Bloomington until the purchase of their first home in Hopkins, MN in 1970. Their son, Thomas Alan Tabbut, was born in August of 1972. Rosie decided to put her career on hold to be a full time Mother. The family moved to their second home in Loretto, MN in 1973. While living in Loretto, Rosie served on the school board. Their daughter, Christina Louise Tabbut, was born in February of 1974. They began to build their current home on Lake Martha near Buffalo, MN in the spring of 1978. They lived in a camper trailer in the yard while the home was being built and moved into the home in October of 1978. Rosie took her second teaching job with Rockford Schools once their children were both in school. She began in 1979 teaching in the elementary school. She served as the Rockford high school choral activities director from 1983-2001. While in the Rockford Schools, her achievements and involvement were notable. Rosie served as the vocal and instrumental director for all RHS musical theater productions from 1986 through 2000, state-wide vocal judge and clinician from 1990 to 2013, MMEA All-State Choir section leader in 1994, 1996 and 1998, and as MMEA All-State Choir Auditions Adjudicator, state-wide for 12 years. During her high school teaching years, RHS choir received superior large group contest ratings every year except two, RHS singers exhibited high levels of solo and ensemble participation and high percentages of superior scores, and RHS singers were widely sought for performance opportunities outside of school. During her career at RHS, the choir initiated music performance travel opportunities to work with peer groups from other schools, college directors and experience new areas. Rosie retired in 2001, but continued to fill in as a substitute teacher for many years. She truly loved her career and all of the wonderful relationships she gained from it.
Rosie enjoyed lots of travel and wonderful friends, especially through church, singing and reading groups, cooking, and gardening. Rosie was also active in water aerobics with her good friends, “The Aqua Babes”, Wright County Chamber Choir, Buffalo Community Orchestra, and Community Theater in Buffalo, Rockford and Delano. She thoroughly enjoyed being “Nana Rosie”, and spent many happy hours cuddled in her recliner with a grandchild in her arms, whether a sleeping grandbaby or reading books to them as they got older. She enjoyed volunteering at their schools as they got older. Upon her diagnosis, she had two grandchildren and was very grateful to have had another five years to meet, hold, and love three more.
Rosie is survived by her husband, David, two grown children, Thomas Tabbut and Christina Tabbut Ovuru, five grandchildren, her Mother Marianne Lutterman, siblings Roger Lutterman, Dale Lutterman, and Susan Dickerson. She is preceded in death by her sister, Rita Lutterman, and her father, Claire Lutterman.
Rosie was a gifted woman, at one with the very essence of music. She touched that part of it which went beyond all notes, measures, and lyrics — And had the skills to impart that quality to others. She was a long time colleague and friend–and I am a better person for having known her.
We are saddened by the passing of Rosie and our lives are much richer for having known her. She was a dear friend and was the first person that Joyce met when moved into our neighborhood. Rosie was very supportive of me during difficult times and will miss her!
Sorry for your loss. We will keep your family in our prayers, and trusting that God will bring comfort in the days ahead.
Dave and family; I am so sorry for your loss! It was such a joy getting to know Rosie over the last few years. She was such a kind wonderful lady! God Bless! Praying for you all during this difficult time.
Thinking of Rosie and her wonderful personality, full of joy and fun. We will miss her so much! Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
She will truely be missed by everone that had her as a teacher.
Dave, so sorry to hear about Rosie. We have many fond memories of her from college days & teaching days!
God be with you, Bob & Pat Peterson
Dave, I am sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. I imagine the last 5 years were not always very comfortable for her. God’s blessings on you and your family. Regards, Bruce
Jackie and I were sad to hear of Rosie’s passing. We have fond memories of the several Christmas Tree trips to cut Christmas Trees near Big Lake.
Rosie and I shared classes all through elementary and High school. I almost always sat right in front of her in classes as D came before R in the alphabet.
We had many wonderful years as cousins growing up in Southern Minnesota.
We will not be able to attend the funeral as we are currently traveling on the East coast with our RV.
You had the rare gift of seeing the best in your students and bringing it out of them. We were fortunate to have you as a teacher in Rockford.
David and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife and mother. She was a wonderfully talented and loving person and may your great memories comfort you. You are in our prayers.
Ken and Mari Dragseth
Missed Rosemary at our 50th Class Reunion just a week or so ago. Know she wanted to be there and know that we missed her and we were thinking of her. The world is a better place because of Rosemary’s smile, laughter and contributions.
So sorry for your family’s loss. Mrs. Tabbut was an amazing force in so many’s lives. You have my condolences.
I am so very sorry to hear of Rosie’s passing. She was such a bright light. I had no idea she was sick, as she always had such a positive outlook and was so inviting and welcoming when I would drop my girls off to play with Madison. I loved hearing the stories she shared with me about what she did before she retired and I could tell she was very proud of the house they had built on Martha and the life they shared. She was always volunteering and loved her Grand kids so much. She was so kind to us and I will miss her very much. I know my girls were very sad to hear of Rosie’s passing and feel very sad for Madison.
Laura, Mckenzie and Kadence Baloun
Scott, Riley, Mason, Kyle and Ryan
So sorry to hear of Rosie’s passing. I will be unable to attend, but know that my Dad and others will be there for us. May she rest in peace with the God who will be with you all at this time of loss !!!!
My sincere sympathies to your family. I was fortunate enough to have had Mrs. Tabbut as my elementary school music teacher, and my choir instructor grades 7-12. There was no one like Mrs. Tabbut! I thnk of her and my time in choir often. She will be singing and leading the angels in heaven!
David; Please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of Rosie. You were a great teacher for NHCC and I will always be thankful for your instruction at the Buffalo Campus.