NEW PALESTINE– Rosalind Miedema Oertel was born March 23, 1934, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Rosie grew up on the east side of Indianapolis on Belmar Avenue and attended Warren Central High School, graduating in 1952.  While at Warren, she was named Homecoming Queen and was a member of the Blocks High School Fashion Board.  During her freshman year, she met and began dating her future husband, Roger Oertel.  After graduating from Warren, she worked in personnel at the U.S. Army Finance Center at Fort Harrison until Roger returned home from serving in the Korean War.  They were married soon thereafter on September 18, 1954 at Franklin Road Baptist Church.  Rosie was a member of the church for over 50 years. 

            Rosie was blessed with four sons to whom she devoted herself full time.  After the boys were well established in school, she began to work part time as a Teacher’s Aid.  She organized and headed the Women’s Missionary Society at church as well as taught Sunday School for children.  She and her husband were adult sponsors of the teenagers youth group for many years.  She also organized and conducted a very successful Children’s Bible Club in the neighborhood where they lived on south Muessing Road for over 30 years.  In recent years, she and her husband have enjoyed an active membership at Brookville Road Community Church.

            Rosie and her husband, Roger, were founding members of the not for profit mission group, Friends for Haiti.  As part of the group, they made ten trips to Haiti to build schools and churches for their Haitian friends.  Rosie was an active participant, painting, cooking, and working with the children.  Her last trip to Haiti was in 2001, soon after she finished her radiation treatments for her first battle with cancer.

            Rosalind is survived by her husband, Roger Oertel, and her four sons and wives: Bruce and Michele of Indianapolis, Brian and Karen of New Palestine, Gregory and Shawn of Greenfield, and Gary and Dani of Hawaii.  She also has seven grandsons, two granddaughters, three great-granddaughters, and one great-grandson

            She will always be remembered for her sweet and sunny disposition and her lifetime commitment to lead others to Christ.  As a true prayer warrior, she truly exemplified the Christian Woman and the “fruits of the spirit” found in Galatians 5:22.

            Visitation will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Brookville Road Community Church, 7480 W. U.S. 52, New Palestine, Indiana, 46163.  A Funeral Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the church.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. 

            Memorial contributions may be made to Brookville Road Community Church, 7480 W. U.S. 52, New Palestine, Indiana, 46163.  Friends may sign the on-line guestbook at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to rogeroertel@earthlink.net.