Rosalyn Marie Reeder Obituary
Rosalyn Marie Reeder, 96, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. A private burial will be held in Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Rosalyn was born on April 18, 1930, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Donald J. and Esther E. (Bullis) Reeder. She graduated as valedictorian from Forest Lake High School in Minnesota in 1947. As a Senior, she was crowned Forest Lake’s Fire Queen and official representative at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and an MA in educational psychology and child development from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI.
Rosalyn loved to sing and was recognized with numerous awards for her exceptional talent. She sang with the St. Paul Civic Opera from 1961-1968.
She went on to teach Sociology and Psychology at Western Michigan University, Andrews University, and Lake Michigan College. Her interest in studies was in Linguistics and Ancient Feminine History, a passion that led her to travel extensively around the world. Drawing from years of research, she authored several books and articles and published her first book in 1999.
Rosalyn is survived by her sons, Douglas (Joelene) VonKoenig and grandsons Jonathan (Jennifer) and Alex (Janel); Jeffrey (Nancy) VonKoenig and granddaughter Sandy (Joe) and grandson Nick (Melanie); Edward (Lori) VonKoenig and grandson Ben (Kelsey) and granddaughter Elise (Michael), and Curtis (Karla) VonKoenig; great-grandchildren – Asher, Adeline, Josiah, Kaydence, Aurora, Lyra, Roland, Freddie, Rosie, and Gwen; sister, Nanci Anderson; and sister-in-law, Lenora Reeder. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald & Esther; brother, Ronald Reeder; brother-in-law, Richard Anderson, and former husband, Emanuel VonKoenig.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate and caring staff of Hanson Hospice Center.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
