The story of Rose J. Vessel Peters is one of resilience, generosity, faith and quiet determination.

Born in Munising on March 13, 1932, to Antonia and John Vessel, Rosie — as she was known to those close to her — experienced a life filled with hardship yet punctuated by acts of kindness and an indomitable spirit.

Her passing on Sept. 22 at the age of 92 marked the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to shape the Munising community for years to come.

Rosie was adopted at a young age by Michael and Ann Kusmirek after her biological mother was institutionalized at the Newberry State Hospital. She graduated from William G. Mather High School and later married Robert Gideon Peters in August 1955.

Tragically, just months after their wedding, Robert died in a carbon monoxide poisoning incident while the couple was living in a Quonset hut while attending Michigan Technological University. Rosie, who was pregnant at the time, also lost her unborn child.

Following these devastating losses, Rosie returned to Munising, where she found solace with Mary Elba “Melba” and Stanley Negilski’s family.

Their son Dave Negilski, who was a young boy at the time, recalls Rosie as a kind presence in their household. “She was always so sweet,” he said. “She may have been frugal, but she was also extremely generous, especially around Christmas. I don’t ever remember her being angry or ornery. She just had a good heart.”

Negilski said Rosie was very creative and had a talent for drawing cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. “She could just pick up a pencil and draw them out,” he said. “They were very good.”

Another favorite pastime of Rosie’s was working on jigsaw puzzles, and she often joined the family at the card table for hours of puzzling. Her creative and patient nature was a hallmark of her time with the Negilskis. Rosie was also a devout Catholic and regularly attended Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Munising.

Rosie was particularly close to her older brothers, John and Tony Vessel, who were also adopted by the Kusmireks. John, a serviceman and pilot, lived in the Cleveland, Ohio, area but frequently flew up to Munising during the summers, often around the Fourth of July. Whether flying his own plane or renting one, John made sure to visit. Her connection with John was a source of comfort and joy, with his visits bringing light to her summers and reaffirming the enduring love they shared as siblings. Tony, though mentioned less frequently, was also cherished by Rosie.

Rosie worked at the Kimberly- Clark paper mill in the lab as a paper tester and lived independently on Sand Point Road for many years. John Carr, Munising Public Schools board member, who worked with her at the mill, described her as “quiet and humble,” noting that she kept a small circle of friends and their interactions were usually brief but friendly.

In her free time, Rosie enjoyed playing cards, going for walks and finding joy in small moments of companionship. She often spent time with close friends like Norma LaFave and her husband, Phil, whose friendship with Rosie and her late husband, Robert, forged a lifelong bond.

“Rosie loved the little things in life,” said Iryna Peters, with whom Rosie lived in her later years. “She’d light up over a simple card game or a homemade meal. She made every moment count.”

Iryna frequently hosted luncheons for Rosie and her friends, where they would play cards, laugh and reminisce. Rosie also loved to dance and often delighted in making others laugh with her quick wit.

Though many of her friends, including Norma, are in assisted living or have since passed, the stories shared by those still here reflect the warmth and kindness Rosie brought into their lives.

Her brother-in-law Doug often visited her, making regular trips in her later years. “Doug loved spending time with Rosie,” Roxanne Peters said. “She might have been quiet, but she always made you feel welcome and loved. She had this way of making you laugh when you least expected it.”

In her later years, Rosie lived with Ed and Iryna Peters, who became her family in every sense of the word. Iryna cared for her with deep love and devotion, referring to Rosie as her mother. “She was my heart,” Iryna said.

Roxanne added, “Iryna lovingly dressed Rosie in ‘cute little outfits’ and took such good care of her. She made sure Rosie always felt cherished and loved.” Rosie’s bond with Iryna was undeniable, and Iryna’s unwavering support provided Rosie with comfort and happiness in her final years.

Iryna reflected on the bond she shared with Rosie, describing her as a deeply special part of her life. “Rosie was so special to me. We shared everything — meals, laughs, even quiet moments,” Iryna said. “She wasn’t just someone I cared for; she became a part of me.”

Her commitment to Rosie stemmed from a profound sense of love and responsibility. “I couldn’t leave her alone,” Iryna said. “She was like my mother. I wanted her to always feel loved and never be without family.”

Her caring nature was inspired by her own upbringing in Ukraine and her mother’s example. “Like my mother, I never leave people alone, especially during holidays,” she said. Even in challenging times, Rosie’s humor shone through, bringing light to their home. “I dressed her, cooked for her and made sure she was happy,” Iryna said. “It was my way of showing her how much she meant to me.”

Rosie’s presence brought joy and purpose to Iryna’s life, and their connection was one of deep mutual love and devotion.

Ed Peters shared a memory that highlighted Rosie’s resilience and sharp wit, even in later years. He recounted a trip to Green Bay for a medical appointment where Rosie needed an injection in her eye.

During the drive, Ed asked if she had eaten and suggested she should. Rosie quipped, “I think I’m old enough to know if I want to eat or not.”

Ed laughed, adding, “That was just Rosie — independent and sharp-witted, no matter the circumstances.”

In her final act of generosity, Rosie named Munising Public Schools as the beneficiary of her life insurance and annuity accounts, amounting to an extraordinary gift of $447,243.28.

“Rosie was a quiet and unassuming woman, but she is a difference maker for this community, and her final act and gift of generosity is a lesson for us all,” Superintendent Mike Travis said. “It reminds us of the power of giving and how one person can leave an extraordinary legacy.”

The Munising Public Schools Board of Education has established a Public Improvement Fund to honor Rosie’s wishes. The fund was officially created at the Nov. 18 board meeting through a resolution drafted by the district’s legal counsel, the Thrun Law Firm.

Travis detailed the priorities for the fund, explaining that a portion of the money is earmarked for “addressing the faulty drainage and subterranean leaks at the library.” In addition, he said, “The high school’s boiler, storage and receiving areas remains our top priority, as these issues were highlighted in our last three sinking fund proposals.”

As communicated in a Nov. 7 update, this gift came without specific requirements for its use. According to her financial adviser, Rosie’s intention was simply to do something nice for the school district and the community.

Because the district, as a nonprofit entity, cannot retain the funds in their original account format, steps were taken to ensure proper management and compliance.

Working with Rosie’s financial adviser at Ameriprise Financial Services in Marquette, the district initially transferred the funds to a money market account, as outlined in board policy 7230.

This account, estimated to earn 4% to 5% interest, served as a temporary “holding tank” until the board finalized plans for the funds’ use. The decision to establish a Public Improvement Fund, rather than redirecting the money to a general account or gifting it to a foundation, ensures the funds will be allocated exclusively to critical infrastructure projects.

Travis emphasized the importance of this decision: “Establishing a PIF and using this gift to address the faulty drainage, the leaking library and high school issues provides much-needed seed money to kickstart essential projects. These priorities have been regularly communicated in our last three unsuccessful sinking fund proposals, and without Rose’s donation or other external funding, making progress on significant improvements would have been extremely challenging.”

The Public Improvement Fund ensures that Rosie’s donation is used exclusively for the projects identified by the school board. By law, the PIF is a restricted fund, meaning the money can only be spent on the specific improvements outlined in the board’s resolution.

In addition to immediate drainage and waterproofing needs, the district is working with Johnson Controls to identify energy-related projects eligible for performance contracting under PA451 of 1976 380.1274a.

“This process will help us pinpoint additional projects and determine how best to prioritize them,” Travis said. “We’re hopeful that grants, donated funds and performance contracting will allow us to address other critical needs, such as the aging heating and electrical systems at Mather Elementary, which are long overdue for replacement.”

Travis also acknowledged the challenges ahead. “The extent of these projects depends on available resources and contractor timelines,” he said, “but we are optimistic about making significant progress by summer 2025.”

He added, “This donation provides much-needed seed money to kickstart critical infrastructure improvements that would have been nearly impossible without outside funding.”

This gift is especially meaningful given the long history of these issues. The school’s ongoing battles with water damage have been a source of frustration for both staff and students, limiting their ability to fully utilize certain spaces.

“It’s a constant concern for safety and usability,” said Lisa Cromell, MPS librarian. “The leaks can cause wet tiles and other hazards, and we’ve had to make do with less until these repairs can be made. … Rosie’s gift is a light at the end of a very long tunnel, giving us hope that we can finally address these widespread problems.”

Discussions are under way to dedicate a plaque or space in Rosie’s memory, ensuring her name lives on as a beacon of generosity.

Though Rosie’s life was marked by loss, those who knew her best remember her for her resilience, immense heart, quick wit, infectious laughter, unwavering faith and quiet strength. She transformed personal tragedy into meaningful contributions, profoundly touching the lives of her close-knit circle of friends and family.

Her understated life gave rise to a monumental legacy. Rosie’s extraordinary donation will transform the schools in her beloved hometown, inspiring future generations to embrace her example of generosity and resolve.

Her story is a powerful reminder that even the quietest lives can leave behind a roar of impact, and her final act of generosity will ensure her name is spoken with gratitude for years to come.

“She left a hole in my heart when she passed,” Iryna Peters said. “But I am so thankful for the years we had together. She gave me so much love, and I hope she felt the same from me.”

The Munising community is stronger because of Rosie Peters, and her name will stand as a beacon of hope, kindness and enduring faith for generations.