Rosemary (Rosie) Tabbut, age 67, of Buffalo, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at her home after a five-plus-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Funeral services will take place Monday, Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo.

Visitation was Sunday, Oct. 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, which is handling the arrangements.

Rosie was born Dec. 21, 1946, in Jackson, MN to Claire and Marianne Lutterman. She was the second of five children, and spent her childhood years on the 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 12, she auditioned and was chosen, along with her brother Roger, to attend the nationally televised Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New York City.

Rosie graduated from Sherburn High School in 1964, and attended her freshman and sophomore years of college at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, as a music major on a full-ride scholarship. Rosie transferred to the University of Minnesota for the remainder of her undergraduate studies, and graduated in 1969. Many years later, she received her master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas, in 1984.

Rosie began her teaching career in 1969, at Bloomington Public Schools, as an elementary music consultant.

She married David Tabbut Aug. 9, 1969, in Sherburn.

The family moved to Loretto in 1973, where Rosie served on the school board. In 1978, the family moved to their current home on Lake Martha, near Buffalo.

Rosie took her second teaching job in 1979, with Rockford Schools, teaching in the elementary school. She served as the Rockford High School choral activities director from 1983-2001.

While in the Rockford schools, Rosie’s achievements and involvement were notable. She 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, and the RHS singers were widely sought for performance opportunities outside of school. The RHS 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. She 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 She enjoyed volunteering at their schools as they got older.

Rosie is survived by her husband, David; two grown children, Thomas Tabbut and Christina Tabbut Ovuru; five grandchildren; her mother, Marianne Lutterman; and siblings Roger Lutterman, Dale Lutterman, and Susan Dickerson.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Rita Lutterman; and her father, Claire Lutterman.