Rosalee Fricke, 80, of Lincoln, NE, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on December 15th, 2025.

Rosalee was born on February 28th, 1945, in Plainview, NE, to Vernon G. and Bonita A. Smith. At the age of 6, she left the United States with her parents and younger sister, for Nigeria, West Africa, where her parents were missionaries. She graduated from North Platte High School, North Platte, NE, in 1963 and attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Social Work in 1967. In May of 1968, she married Dr. Larry Fricke, whom she met in college. The couple lived in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin,

where Rosalee was employed as a social worker until Larry’s death in 1987. Rosalee moved back to Nebraska to be near family and worked both in Hall County and in Lancaster County Social Services offices until her retirement.

Rosalee was very creative and loved to play the piano, listen to classical music, sew, scrap book, make cards, cook and entertain. She loved going out for lunch, dinner and to the movies with friends and family. She was very generous and dearly loved her family and her kitties. Her home was filled with cat toys and decor.

As a young child, Rosalee put her faith in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. As her death drew near, she and her brother, Brent, had sweet conversations about looking forward to eternity with Jesus. She was anticipating being free from pain and seeing Jesus face to face. She would play the song, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”, on repeat in her home. A passage of scripture she recently found comforting was Psalm 3:3, “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; You are my glory, the One who holds my head high.”

Preceding her in death are her husband, Larry Fricke, parents, Vernon and Bonnie Smith, sister-in-law, Linda (Herrick) Smith, grandparents, various special aunts, uncles and cousins.

Left to celebrate her life and mourn her passing are her brother, Brent (Robin) Smith of Lincoln, NE, Shari (Rick) Harvey of North Platte, NE, and Becky (Rick) Shafe of Marana, AZ as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A family remembrance will be held at a later date.

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