Rosanne Carroll, age 82, of Manitowoc, passed away with her family by her side in the early morning hours of Monday, February 2, 2026, at St. Mary's Nursing Home.

Rosanne was born on March 3, 1943, in North Dakota to the late Anthony Huizinga and Rosalie (Mann) Brown.

Rosanne's life was so beautifully crafted. If a person could see the life that she had lived it would be an epic motion picture. Many of the family and friends who were fortunate enough to spend quality time with her would agree that the memories created were many times life changing. Rosanne is definitely remembered for her immense spirit of adventure, tenacity, love of learning and most importantly her loyalty. She taught us all to fear not. To dream, persevere, fulfill and love was a recurring theme she lived by. Being raised in a home with six active children was busy and as the oldest daughter it also left her with a plenty of responsibility. As a school aged child, she lost a younger brother to polio which was an immense loss to her. Once she was gifted with a beautiful baby doll pram. To her mother's dismay, in short order she had dismantled it and had built herself a soap box derby car only to learn that girls could not participate.

After graduating from Hayward High in Hayward, California in 1960, she attended San Jose State University where she started her studies in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She married Tony Gallegos in Santa Barbara, CA in November of 1962. She gave birth to two daughters, Kirsten in 1964 and Nicole in 1966. Tony worked in construction so they moved to where the projects were. She enjoyed her employment as an optician. She later completed her degrees from SJSU and pursued a new career path. In the 1970's she worked as a Hayward Reserve Police officer trailblazing for women to follow after her. She was challenged working undercover for the police department but found it very fulfilling. During this time she became a highly skilled marksman. She competed and won many competitive shooting competitions which was quite unusual for a woman at that time.

A new era in her life began as she embraced raising her daughters as a single parent. She began working for the Xerox corporation in Hayward, CA, becoming the director of security. Her career path went in many directions in the years to follow. She enjoyed her time working as a director of the Red Cross in California, Kentucky, and Kansas. She was very involved in her community for disaster services, education and fundraising. She set up disaster relief centers for fires, floods, tornadoes and also went to New York City to work shoulder to shoulder with other disaster workers with the Twin Towers collapse.

She was very driven to help anyone in need. In the 1980's she worked as a social worker in Kansas City, MO. During this time she mainly worked with the women on welfare assistance. She was an immense advocate for them to have food, safe housing, get educated, find employment and achieve independence. During this time she also worked part time as a private investigator. At the age of 65, fulfilling a lifelong dream, she received her BSN from Belmont University in Louisville, KY. This was a crowning moment for her. She enjoyed working as a home health nurse in Loveland, CO in the years to follow. Following CO, she moved to live near Kirsten and to enjoy the beautiful California climate that she grew up in. After a few years and with much research she ventured to Murfreesboro, TN. where she lived until finally settling in Manitowoc, WI to be near family again. She enjoyed living at The Court in Felician Village. She developed many special friendships with the staff and wonderful memories.

She loved being with her family, but while on her own she kept very busy and involved in many adventures. She was an immense lover of Maine coon cats. She was the proud mother of three; Out Back Red, Pumpkin and Oliver of whom she found incredible companionship with. A lover of the outdoors she loved hiking and camping in remote areas. Cross-country skiing and long strolls on the beach were rejuvenating for her.

Being in the sunshine, she always said refueled her battery. She also had a very artistic side to her while creating beautiful stained-glass projects. Drawing the design, choosing and cutting each piece to size and bringing it all together was so fulfilling for her. Of course, she didn't make anything so simple. Her creations were exquisite like a Tiffany style lamp with incredible detail. Always learning she was an avid reader, loved fiction and nonfiction. In the garden she had a green thumb and could cultivate pretty much anything she wanted by studying, nurturing and being patient as the garden grew.

A lover of cooking and entertaining, she was known for hosting incredible dinner parties, many with a playful theme. Rosanne approached cooking almost as a science project. Not only was the food about flavor and texture but she also needed to understand the how and why happening in the cooking process. To travel and see the world was by far her greatest passion. Including friends and family in her adventures was a given. She spent time in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, South America including the Galapagos enjoying the history, architecture, food and people along the way. From whitewater rafting the treacherous Zambezi River in Africa to the midnight canoe trip in the amazon to witness the bioluminescence she lived it all. She was proud of being a member of MENSA, the oldest and largest high IQ society in the world.

As a dedicated mother and grandmother she extended her passion of life to each and every one in a unique and loving way fitting to their individuality. To her many lifelong friendships she developed, each and every person held a special place in her life and her heart. As fierce and as formidable as she was, her strength changed people's lives for the good.

Survivors include her daughter: Kirsten (Paul) Konieczka, and their children: Hillary (Raul) Berdiago, Brittany Bodeson, Sean McDonald, and Dylan Konieczka; daughter: Nicole (Paul) Mihalakakos, and their children: Hunter, Alexandra, Lauren, Athena, Evan, Riley, and Grant Mihalakakos; great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Berdiago, Tallon Berdiago, Brayden Holguin, Emma Bodeson, Owen Bodeson, Kellan McDonald; great-great-granddaughter: Kaliah Holguin; brother: George (Kris) Brown; sisters: Marsha (Ron) Boggs, Phyllis Daniel; and half-siblings: Virigina Lagious, Mary Lou Powel, Patsy Ann LaChapple and Anthony "Skip" Huizinga. Nieces, nephews, other relative and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: Anthony Huizinga and Rosalie Brown; brothers: Michael and Gregory Brown; aunt: Rosamond Bassett; and great aunt: Lena Mann.

Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, 3209 Meadow Lane, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Stephen Melso and the Rev. Caleb Davisson. Family will greet relatives and friends at the church Friday beginning at 2:30 p.m. until the time of service at 3:30 p.m. Dinner reception to follow at Capital Civic Center, Merten's Lounge. Rosanne will be laid to rest at a graveside burial service which will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Lone Tree Cemetery, 24591 Fairview Ave., Hayward, CA 94542. Please follow the signs at the cemetery for the graveside location.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.

A special thank you to the wonderful staff of St. Mary's and Sharon Richardson, especially Sammi, who provided excellent care during her time of need.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.