Rosebud Grishkowsky 1928-2008

BRUZEK, HYINK, GRISHKOWSKY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/7/2008 at 18:50:25

Rosebud Grishkowsky

HANOVER, Ill. -- Rosebud Grishkowsky, 80, of Dubuque, formerly of Hanover, Ill., died peacefully at home Monday morning, March 17, with her beloved husband and helpmate at her side as he always was.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, with the Rev. Kurt Hansen and the Rev. John Sorenson officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Hanover, and after 10 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at the church.

She was born in Chicago on March 6, 1928, daughter of Benjamin and Agnes (Bruzek) Hyink. She grew up in Palos Park, Ill., and graduated as salutatorian of her 8th grade class from the Palos Grammar School, District 118 in 1941. Her baptism was in the early years of her life in the Palos Park Community Church where she faithfully attended Sunday School, worship services and held leadership positions in the youth groups.

Rosebud attended and graduated from Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Ill. She was found to have positive tests for rheumatic fever when ready to enroll in pre-med studies, which necessitated a period of recovery. During this time, Dr. Samuel S. Leavitt taught her the essentials of pre-med and then trained her to work as his assistant for more than two years. His offices were in Orland Park and Palos Heights, Ill.

Wanting to return to school, Dr. Leavitt was influential in arranging for Rosebud to begin nursing studies at the Presbyterian Hospital, which later merged into Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital. She graduated in Sept. of 1952, and received the highest award, "Best Nurse in the Class." She was not only president of her senior class, but also of the more than two hundred members of the entire student body.

Rosebud became a registered nurse. She worked at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Ill., from October to January of 1953, when she transferred to the University of Dubuque to continue her studies.

She married Henry John Grishkowsky on June 19, 1954, in Palos Park, Ill., and they made their first home in Dubuque, where Henry had to finish his senior year at Wartburg Seminary and Rosebud needed another semester to graduate. She graduated with honors in January of 1955. As an R.N., she worked for the Dubuque Visiting Nurses and as a lab assistant in the science department and a school nurse at the University of Dubuque.

After both graduated, Henry was ordained at Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah, N.D., with a master's degree in theology. In 1955, Henry and Rosebud moved to Hanover, Ill., where Henry was called to serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hanover and Trinity Lutheran Church in Derinda. Just prior to retirement, after serving for 42 1/2 years in the same parish, Pastor Henry was honored with an award of Pastor Emeritus from the congregation.

After retiring, Rosebud and Henry moved to Dubuque, where they lived in a townhouse at Sunset Park Place. Rosebud and Henry enjoyed their new home but always missed their church families left behind. Rosebud underwent many major surgeries, the most debilitating being the one that removed most of her stomach because of severe ulceration. She was hospitalized many times through the years. Her health remained frail, but she was also able to live at home with the special help of her loving husband and caregiver, and the help of many nurses and therapists from community services.

Rosebud was a member of the Trinity and St. Paul Lutheran Parish and an associate member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Dubuque.

Rosebud had a passion for life; even the simplest of things gave her joy. She was very talented and artistic, with a flair for writing, storytelling and creating beautiful flower arrangements at the churches during their years of service. She enjoyed helping people, cooking and sharing nursing skills and she was much loved by all who knew her. She was always gracious, loving and appreciative to all who offered her care.

Thanks be to God for Rosebud's many years of sharing love and feeling loved in return.

Surviving are her husband, Henry; a brother, Byron Hyink, of Yorkville, Ill.; three Grishkowsky brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; cousins; and many very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Special thanks for the love and compassion shared with Rosebud by the many nurses at Finley Hospital, Finley Rehab, Visiting Nurses and Finley Homecare. Thanks also to Dr. Hillard Salas, Dr. Keith Shaw, Dr. John Chapman and his wife, Mary Jo, and all of the Dubuque Internal Medicine doctors who served Rosebud so well. Thank you also to Pastor John and Mona Sorenson for their spiritual care and visits. Through the years, Rosebud and Pastor Henry have been blessed with the friendship, love and caring help of many wonderful friends, especially Bernita and Jim Gilbertson, Sandy and Steve Heer, and Kathy and Charles Davis, during their most recent years in Dubuque.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. 2008, All Rights Reserved. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Wednesday, March 19, 2008