Chamberlin, Rosemarie

Rosemarie Chamberlin was born in Bremen, Germany on May 
18, 1924. She died May 16, 2010 just 2 days before her 86th 
birthday. Her mother was Elise (Thurnagel) Seering and her 
father was Hugo Seering. Rosemarie had one brother, Ernst 
Seering who was several years older than her. Rosemaries 
maternal mother died when Rosemarie was about 2 years 
old. Rosemaries father later married a wonderful woman who 
raised Rosemarie and Ernst as her own. Rosemarie and her 
brother were raised on a farm with many animals which made 
Rosemaries life very beautiful. Her favorite television show 
was Animal Planet, and she could tell you all the particulars of 
almost any animal. But all this beautiful scene ended when 
the war started. Rosemarie with her loyalty to her country, 
enlisted in the Germany Army as a nurse. She helped 
operating and amputating many arms and legs during that 
time. Early after the end of the active war, Rosemarie needed 
a job and since she could speak German and English, she was 
hired by Lt. Col. John Chamberlin who had decided to stay in 
Germany. John actually confessed later that this beautiful lady 
named Rosemarie was actually his reason for wanting to 
remain in Germany. John was then delegated to be with the 
American Honor Guard and was scheduled to go to Berlin. 
Berlin at this time was a closed city and no new people could 
reside there, and this was strictly enforced. Of course, he did 
not want to leave Rosemarie there and she did not have the 
necessary papers to leave so John decided on a plan. This 
plan was a risky and dangerous situation that could have 
been the end of freedom for both of them. In spite of this 
risk John proceeded with his plan. He had a Jeep and a ton 
trailer, several cases of wine and beer and Jack Daniels, and 
their little white dog. There was a tarp on the back of the 
trailer. The tarp was covered with boxes and underneath that 
tarp was Rosemarie. With the driver of the jeep, and John 
Chamberlin in the passenger side with the cute little white 
dog and Rosemarie in the trailer under the tarp and boxes 
on top, off they went on the long drive through the Russian 
zone to the American zone. Fortunately John had very little 
trouble through the Russian check-points as the Russians 
were more interested in the cute little white dog and the 
beer and wine and they couldnt read Johns exit papers 
anyway. At each Russian check point the Jack Daniels, the 
beer and remaining wine were always more interesting than 
what was in the trailer. Finally entering the American zone 
they quickly stopped and opened the canvas tarp so 
Rosemarie could finally get a breath of clean air. This intense 
and risky smuggling job was over. They proceeded on to 
Bad Nauheim where Rosemarie was able to reestablish herself 
again. In August of 1948, they were married and 
honeymooned in Switzerland, Germany, and France and 
returned the U.S.A. in October of 1948. What a beautiful 
romantic story!! Rosemarie and John came to the United 
States and built a home in Lewiston, Idaho. Three years later 
their son, Johnny, was born. Later Rosemarie and John moved 
to Boise and built several beautiful homes in the Highlands, 
moving from one and then to the other as they were ready 
to move into. Rosemarie hosted many wonderful social 
events for their friends and she enjoyed the fun at the Crane 
Creek Country Club with all her many friends. Rosemarie 
decided one day she wanted to get a job. John didnt really 
like that idea but finally relented. In 1968, she joined the 
Elaine Powers Ladies Health Club. She loved to exercise. She 
was such a beautiful lady and with such a glowing personality 
that Steve Symms, the owner, and Barbara Wardle, the 
manager, decided to hire her as an instructor for the ladies 
exercise programs. She did a wonderful job and everyone 
loved her. After Steve Symms ran for Senator he decided to 
close the Elaine Powers Club. In the meantime, in 1969, the 
Palm Springs and European Health Spa opened and Barbara 
Wardle became manager and brought Rosemarie with her to 
work at this beautiful Health Club. Again Rosemarie was 
loved by everyone and was a tremendous asset to the club. 
Rosemarie loved the European atmosphere with all the 
beautiful statues and especially all the people. She always 
remembered everyones name and greeted them with her 
beautiful smile and her beautiful German accent. Rosemarie 
has often said that this time at the Spa was some of the most 
enjoyable years of her life. Only a couple of months ago, 
Rosemarie was re-living those fun days at the Spa and at age 
85 she wished she could go and apply for a job at the Idaho 
Athletic Club. She still wore her 4 inch heels and had the 
figure of an 18 year old, and her wonderful smile and 
personality would always work for her. And you know 
something, I think she would have been hired for the job, 
even though it had been 42 years ago that she first worked 
in the Health Club Industry. In 1975, Rosemarie got a very 
good offer to work with Welcome Wagon, introducing and 
welcoming new homeowners to Boise with her basket of 
numerous products from the many businesses that she 
represented. Again even today, many people remember her 
with Welcome Wagon. They talk about her glowing 
personality, the beautiful German accent and her magnificent 
appearance as she came into their home to welcome them to 
Boise. After a number of years of working with Welcome 
Wagon, Rosemarie and John decided to travel since John was 
now retired. Their only child, Johnny, died at the young age 
of 42. This was devastating for them and later the traveling 
seemed to lessen their pain. They traveled to all the 
European Countries, Scandinavian Countries, Finland, Russia, 
Turkey, England, Japan, Korea, and China. Their last trip was 
in 2001. Rosemarie Chamberlins husband Jon Chamberlin 
died 2 years ago. He was at Valley View Retirement and 
Willow Park for 6 years and Rosemarie visited him everyday 
for all those 6 years. Rosemaries more recent years had been 
reserved for her numerous good friends whom she went to 
breakfast, lunch, or dinner several times a week. The 
remaining days and hours were reserved for her two 
adorable cats, Rascal and Angel (who are 8 years old). She 
adopted them from the Humane Shelter when they were 5 
weeks old and she loved them so much and they miss her 
every minute. Rosemarie was well known as the lady who 
gave Lindt Chocolate Bars to her Doctors and Dentists, or 
just anyone who she thought would enjoy her German 
chocolates. She had many friends from the Crane Creek Club 
in the Highlands, to Elizabeth, the lady who took her order at 
the McDonalds on Franklin Road or Lois, from the House of 
Hearing, and many more. We would like to thank all the 
wonderful nurses at 4 South at St. Lukes Hospital in Boise and 
St. Lukes in Meridian. Also Dr. Sarah Bolender and Dr. 
Benjamin Bridges. Rosemarie also loved all the staff at Valley 
View, especially Chuck Faylor and everyone in the Skilled 
Nursing Dept. All of you are Angels. You are such a beautiful 
and caring group in the nursing field. Rosemarie is survived 
by Rascal and Angel, her two beautiful cats; two 
grandchildren, Brian Chamberlin and Allyson Chamberlin of 
Boise; her niece, Rosemarie Seering Lieber; sister-in-law, 
Annalies Seering; and her great niece and nephew, Phillip and 
Mica all residing in Germany. A very special thank you to 
Rosemaries neighbors who always watched out for her and 
helped her in so many ways, Pat Entwithel and John and 
Susan Serace. Again Rosemarie had so many special friends 
who helped in comforting her in her final days: Tony and Lee 
Roberts, Diane and Gary Jackson, Judy and John Evans, Alice 
and Tom Hennesey, Barbara and Cliff Babbitt, Betty and Sal 
Castrovillo, Sylvia Boyle, Bob Zimmerman, Lena and Jim 
Herrick, Lori and Marty Evans, and all the Wa 

Published in Idaho Statesman on May 20, 2010