Rose Mary Laitinen, age 82, of Oneida passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the Jack and Engrid Meng Hospice Residence. She was born January 12, 1939 to Julius "Joe" and Alice (King) Cornelius. After graduation from Freedom High School, Rose attended and graduated from Haskell Institute (Haskell Indian Nations University) in Lawrence, Kansas. Rose moved to Chicago, Illinois and was employed in advertising. Rose was named Miss Indian Chicago in 1959. On February 25, 1961, Rose married Fred Ronald Laitinen. The two moved to the Milwaukee area and remained there until 1976, when they moved to Mellen, Wisconsin. Other moves to areas in Waukesha County followed. In 1978, Rose and her family moved back to Mellen. In 1981, Rose and Fred moved to Oneida, Wisconsin. Rose was a life-long singer of Oneida Hymns and was a "song-starter". She sang with the Oneida Singers in Milwaukee and Oneida. In the 1970s, Rose formed the Organization for the Preservation of Oneida Hymns (Preservation Singers) with the purpose of passing on the tradition of Oneida Hymn Singing to the next generations and teaching any of the current generation who wished to learn these sacred hymns. This role involved travel to Episcopal Churches and schools around the state, funerals in Chicago, and self-funded studio recording projects in the 1980s. Rose spent most of her career working as an administrative assistant for various entities. She did work as a nursing assistant at County Hospital in Milwaukee and various nursing homes while her children were young. Rose was a skilled manager who took the Oneida Tobacco Enterprise from a very small business to a profitable, major business for the Oneida Nation. Rose worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections before retiring. After retirement, Rose and Fred enjoyed spending time in Saxon, Wisconsin. Rose enjoyed quilting and volunteering. She donated quilts and banners she made to the Gurney Community Club, the Oneida Conservation Club, and the Oneida Relay for Life. Rose is survived by her husband of sixty years, Fred, and her children; Jennie (Mike) Thewis, Mellen, Fred (Jane) Laitinen, Green Bay, and Laura (Breck) Laitinen-Warren, Green Bay; grandchildren; Peter (Kendra) Thewis, Jeremiah Laitinen, Whitney (Josh) Ciatti, Justin Laitinen, Christopher (Betsy) Thewis, John Laitinen, Jacob Laitinen, Lucas Warren, and Charlotte "Charlie" Warren. Great grandchildren: Starr Thewis, Skyler Thewis, Twins Arielle and Dominic Ciatti, Cole Thewis, Adelyn Thewis, and Issac Thewis. Rose is further survived by her siblings, Thelma (Wendell) McLester, Merlin (Pat) Cornelius, Shirley LaFleur, Paul Cornelius, Eugene Cornelius, Emily (Steven) Johnson, Edna (Scott) Grosskopf, and special cousin Eleanor Bailey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Robert Laitinen, brother Isaac Cornelius, and sister Alice "Lorraine" Denny. Friends may call at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME 305 N. Tenth Street , De Pere on Saturday, October 23, 2021 after 9:00AM, until time of service at 11:00AM with Fr. Rodger Patience officiating. Burial to follow at Church of the Holy Apostles Cemetery, Oneida. In lieu of flowers. Memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project would be appreciated.