Mary Rotert

Mary Eileen (Sullivan) Rotert, age 76, of Belvidere, IL, formerly of Lemmon, Rapid City and Sturgis, SD, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at Maple Crest Care Centre in Belvidere. She was born May 31, 1941, in Lemmon, SD, the daughter of John L. and Marguerite M. (Klinkhammer) Sullivan.  Eileen graduated from Lemmon High School and Black Hills State College in Spearfish, SD.  She married James A. Rotert on August 3, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lemmon, SD. They had four children.  Eileen spent most of her working life in journalism.  Before retiring in 2003, she served as the editor of the West River Catholic Newspaper for the diocese of Rapid City, SD.  She earned a number of journalism awards, especially for her writing about women in the church.  Eileen was an Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Family.  After retirement, Eileen left her beloved South Dakota to be closer to her children and lived in Florissant, MO, and Rockford, IL.  She maintained her love of learning and her passion for nature throughout her life.  Her grandchildren were her greatest joy.  Eileen leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Barbara (Rotert) Bennett of Loves Park, IL, Michelle (Tina Carey Ingram) Rotert of Rockford, IL, Catherine (Rotert) Sylve of Rockford, IL, and Patrick (Lynnett) Rotert of Spearfish, SD;  three siblings, Joe Sullivan of Ottawa, IL, Jim Sullivan of Mandan, ND, and Patricia Fletcher of Chicago, IL;  10 grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett of Chicago, IL, Sarah (John) Bennett Egner of Milwaukee, WI, Franchesca and Madeline Ingram of Rockford, IL, Brian Sylve of St. Louis, MO, Danielle Sylve of Rockford, IL, Austin (Savhannah) Rotert of Ft. Pierre, SD, Nathan (Chloe) Rotert of Brookings, SD, Brendan and Erin Rotert of Spearfish, SD; great-granddaughter, Lydia Rotert; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.  She is predeceased by her parents and former husband.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Lemmon, SD, at a later date. Inurnment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon, SD, as cremation rites are accorded.  Memorials may be made to the National Audubon Society at audubon.org.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park, IL.