Obituary

Rosemarie Desjardins, 86, of Ferndale, passed away on Feb. 16, 2025. She was born to parents Leon and Beatrice Desjardins on Nov. 7, 1938 in Gleichen, Alberta, Canada.

She was raised on the prairies of Alberta in a house with no electricity or running water and attended boarding school at a Catholic Convent in Calgary, Canada due to the remoteness of the family farm.

She met, and later married Michael G. Sulak in 1961. They moved to California in 1963. She worked as Michael’s secretary at Village Dental Lab for 18 years and raised her two sons, Michael Jr. and John.

After Michael Sr. and Rosemarie parted ways, she worked as the parish house secretary at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Modesto from 1981-2003. She also worked at Franklin and Downs Funeral Home.

Later, she worked at the Diocese of Stockton as Executive Director to the Bishop, and then as director of human resources. She retired in 2008, and was honored with the distinguished service award BENEDICTVS XVI PONT. MAXIMVS AVGVSTAE CRVCIS INSIGNE by Bishop Blaire.

Rosemarie was an avid volunteer, working as a member of STARS — a Stanislaus County Sheriff Department volunteer group. She also spent many countless hours in service of the Catholic Church, leading Bible studies, serving on various church committees, and helping fellow parishioners and those in need. She was a spiritual counselor and a eucharistic minister who brought peace and love to those who were unable to attend Mass. She dedicated her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.

In 2008, Rosemarie moved to Ferndale where she was a devoted servant of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She cherished the time she spent with her many new friends. Rosemarie was humble, kind and gentle but fiercely independent, who was very generous with her time, talents, and treasures. She was an amazing, loving mother and grandmother. Her family meant the world to her.

Rosemarie leaves behind her sons Michael (Heidi) Sulak of Custer and John (Crystal) Sulak of Modesto, CA; grandchildren Emily, Mikaela, Hannah, Zachary and Aidan; two great-granddaughters, sister Theresa Gibeau and brother Leon Desjardins. She was preceded in death by her parents Leon and Beatrice Desjardins, sisters Georgina Rogan and Delanie Desjardins, and brother Patrick Desjardins.

A rosary service and Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ferndale on April 1, 2025. The rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the Funeral mass at 10 a.m.

Internment will be on Rosemarie’s beloved prairies at the Gleichen Cemetery in Alberta, Canada.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities USA.