With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Rosemary LeTendre of Sioux Falls, SD.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew her best.
Rosemary held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
What Rosemary believed shaped how she loved.
In Loving Memory of
Rosemary A. (Collins) LeTendre
Rosemary LeTendre, the daughter of Jack and Lillian Applen Collins, was born in Austin, MN, on August 29, 1938. In 1942, her family moved from Blooming Prairie to Austin, where she attended St. Augustine Catholic schools, graduating from St. Augustine (Pacelli) High School in 1956. Rosemary graduated from Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, WI, in 1960, where she was invited into two academic fraternities: Sigma Tau Delta, a National Professional English Fraternity, and Phi Alpha Theta, a National Honor Society for History. She began teaching English at Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, now Hill Murray, in 1960. In December 1960, she, and Joseph L. LeTendre were married at St. Augustine Church in Austin. In 1961, they moved to Brewster, MN, and then to Slayton, MN, in 1965. In addition to her full-time position as wife to Joe and mother to their five children, Rosemary served local schools as a substitute teacher. She provided assistance many times as a long-term substitute, helping out both the Slayton Public Schools and Fulda Area Schools. Her greatest achievement as an educator lies in her work with what was then termed "homebound" teaching. Rosemary was the sole provider of all education to students who were not able to, or in some cases not allowed to, attend school in the physical building. She worked closely with main classroom teachers to provide appropriate instruction in multiple content areas to students who came to her home. If coming to her home was not an option, she went to the student's home. Through her efforts, she saw to it that over thirty students earned their high school diplomas! Having a special heart for students in need or crisis, she also taught at the Worthington Area Learning Center for two years. Additionally, her husband's careers in education, advertising, emceeing, and writing were successful because they were a strong team; he was the creative one, and she was the one who made him, and his work look good by editing and proofreading his work! Rosemary was active at St. Ann's Catholic Church in many ways. She was a Faith Formation teacher, served as CCW President, served as the Fall Bazaar Co-Chair, and was a Marion Medal Co-leader. She also served on the parish council, as a parish trustee, as a liturgy committee member, and as a sacristan when Mass was held at the Manor in Slayton. Additionally, she taught Vacation Bible School and alongside her husband, Joe, delivered the financial literacy class to engaged couples at Pre-Cana weekend retreats. Rosemary served as the Honorary Chair of the Murray County Relay for Life two separate years. She was a breast cancer survivor. Her hobbies included reading, baking, get-togethers with friends, and supporting family, friends, neighbors, and community members, especially with her famous foods: chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, BBQ, or goulash. She was dubbed a "prayer warrior" by family and friends. Rosemary passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Survivors include four children and their families: Mike (Kathy) LeTendre, Slayton, MN; Beth (Terry) Oolman, Orange City, IA; Mary Ellen (John) Moline, Slayton, MN; Paul (Wendy) LeTendre, Morris, MN, daughter-in-law, Theresa LeTendre, Sioux Falls, SD. Grandchildren: Christopher (Alex) LeTendre, Patrick LeTendre, Collin Oolman, Cameron Oolman, Taylor (Alex) Keller, Grace (Jake) Miller, Carli Moline, Owen Moline, Molly LeTendre, Jack LeTendre, Lindsay (Shane) Weisgram, Amanda (Andrew) DeSousa, and eight great-grandchildren. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Walter (Jack) and Lillian Collins, her husband Joseph, son, James Joseph, and her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Virginia Collins.
Funeral Services
St. Ann's Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Antony Arokiyam officiating. The organist is Patty LeClaire. The song leader is Lori Dahlhoff. The pallbearers are her grandsons. Interment is at St. Ann's Cemetery in Slayton, MN.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at St. Ann's Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. and one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
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