Rosalee A. Kiesel

Rosalee Alice (Forwalder) Schwochow-Kiesel battled cancer for almost four years. She passed surrounded by her loved ones when the Lord called her home on March 21, 2025.

Rose was born on September 19, 1940 in Castalia, Ohio. She was born at home to Floyd Russel Forwalder Sr. and Margaret May (McCoy) Forwalder. They both preceded her in death. She married Donald Ervin Schwochow on February 25, 1958 and he preceded her in death (1999). She later married Rev. William Kiesel on August 10, 2002 and he also preceded her in death (2013). Others that have preceded her in death are her brother, Daniel Forwalder (1969), sister, Elizabeth Capper (2005), brother, Floyd Forwalder Jr. (2012), and sister, Esther Mullins (2018).

She is survived by her three daughters, Cheryl (Schwochow) Beck of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Diane (Schwochow) Nickler of Tiffin, Ohio, and Margaret (Schwochow) Charlton-Kranzler of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Her six grandchildren, Ronald (Samantha) Nickler, Jr. of Little Flock, Arkansas, Deborah Nickler of Fostoria, Ohio, Samantha Charlton (Logan), Kevin Charlton (Ariel), Jacob Charlton (Kris), and Bryce (Alyssa) Charlton, all of Aberdeen, South Dakota. She has five great-grandchildren, Gracey, Hailey, Finnley, Lucy, and Serenity. She is also survived by two brothers, Frank (Florence) Forwalder of Clyde, Ohio and David Forwalder of Tiffin, Ohio along with many nieces and nephews.

Rose was the eldest of seven children who were raised by deaf parents. They had a difficult time finding jobs because of their disability. By the age of 15 she had to withdraw from school to care for her six younger siblings so her parents could work. This started her journey to be a caretaker where she devoted her entire life to caring for others. She cared for many family members until their deaths including her parents, step-mother-in-law, her uncle, brother, and both husbands. This led her to start working in group homes in the early 1980’s with individuals with disabilities until her retirement in 2004.

Engle-Shook Funeral Home & Crematory is handling her cremation. At her request there will be no services.

Any donations are to be given to either the Seneca County Opportunity Center or Special Olympics on her behalf.

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