Rosalie June Hazen , 91, formerly of South Whitley, died peacefully on February 21, 2024, at Parkview Huntington Hospital.  She had been a resident at Heritage Pointe of Huntington since June, 2021.

Rosalie was the fourth child and only daughter born to Carl Frederick and Nila Irene (Shrader) Miller.  She was born on January 6, 1933, at the family home on Washington Rd. in Washington Center, Columbia City, IN.  She was always proud to be the farmer's daughter.

Attending school in Washington Center, she graduated from Washington Center High School in 1950.  During her high school years, Rosalie was a majorette in the marching band and was a member of the oratory team, having won numerous county-wide awards.  She was also an 8 year 4-H member.  With few exceptions, her life was spent in Whitley County.

Rosalie married Harold Glen Sutter on Sept. 20, 1952 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbia City. Their marriage was blessed with three children.  On Dec. 29, 1979 she married James Riley Hazen at St. John's.  He preceded her in death on May 14, 2020.

A 5th generation German Lutheran, Rosalie was also baptized and confirmed at St. John's.  Her great-great grandfather, Christian Luecke, was one of thirteen men who chartered St. John's in 1847.  Rosalie was proud of her heritage and loved her family immensely.  She raised her children with reverence and love for the Lord.  She spoke of the Lord to anyone who would listen, read her bible daily and taught her children the importance of prayer.  Many years of family gatherings, including dinners, picnics and reunions were a vital part of Rosalie's lifelong love for her family.

Rosalie loved to tell the story of her first car, a 1942 Plymouth Club Coupe she named Betsy.  The first week she owned Betsy she drove 500 miles & never left Whitley County.

Even though her words were measured, Rosalie was known for her hearty laugh and never met a stranger.  It was that initiative that led her to become an Avon representative in the 1960's while she and her husband, Harold, raised their family.  She won numerous awards both locally and in district sales.  She had also been employed by United Telephone in South Whitley and North Manchester as a switchboard operator, later in the offices and The Heckman Bindery, during her working career.

Throughout Rosalie's life she had a love for flower gardening, always having a vase of flowers on her kitchen table, a love which she had learned from her mother, Nila.  She passed her love for gardening on to her daughters.

The loving memory of Rosalie will be forever cherished by her daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl (James) Yeager, of South Whitley, daughter-in-law, Christina Sutter, of rural Columbia City; grandchildren, Scott (Tina) Yeager, Randall (Joanna) Yeager, Brooke (Ryan) Hamilton, Holly Sutter, Brad (Amy) Sutter, Ryan Kessler, Adriane (David) Copeland and Daniel Messenger; 13 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and 6 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Rosalie was preceded in death by her son, Gary Sutter and daughter Michelle (Sutter) Savant; brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Wanda Jean) Miller, Ronald (Mary Kathryn) Miller and infant brother, Richard Miller; also her Goddaughter, Virginia (Miller) Butz.

A graveside service will take place at a later date, at the South Whitley Cemetery, where Rosalie will be laid to rest next to her daughter, Michelle.  Services by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Miller Chapel.