Rosie C. (Baca) Trujillo was born September 27, 1930 in Julesburg, CO, the daughter of Fred and Rita C. (Chacon) Baca. Rosie attended Julesburg schools and graduated from High School in 1949.
Her first employment was as a 'live in' baby sitter for Petersons in Big Springs, NE. Rose met Luis Trujillo while visiting her oldest brother Ray when they attended a dance at the Airplane Inn in LaJunta, CO. They corresponded by mail and courted for eleven months before getting married on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 in Rocky Ford, CO.
The couple resided in LaJunta for a year and then in Julesburg, CO for two years and Rosie commuted to Ogallala, NE (before moving to Ogallala) to her first real employment at TRW. She was a line supervisor and later became an executive secretary for presidents of both the Good-All Electric and TRW companies. Rosie worked for the companies for sixteen years and served as President and Vice-President of the TRW Credit Union.
Rosie was the first woman in Keith County, NE to become a certified law enforcement officer, serving as Keith County Deputy Sheriff. For eleven years, Rosie and Luis owned and operated La Paloma, a Mexican food restaurant. From 1986-1990 she worked as a legal secretary for a local attorney. In 1990 she began her career as Child Enforcement Officer. Rosie was also a certified court interpreter for the county and district courts. Later employments included Ogallala Tour & Travel and night auditor at Best Western Motel. Rosie retired in 2012.
She was awarded an Admiralship in the Nebraska Navy and was appointed by Gov. Robert Kerrey to a steering committee for conferences on women business owners. In 1994 Rosie was named "Woman of Distinction" by the Guiding Star Girl Scout Council of western Nebraska and cited as a positive role model. She has served as secretary of the state board of directors of the Nebraska Child Support Enforcement Association. Rosie was named the 1994 Hispanic Woman of the Year by the Nebraskaland Days Mexican Fiesta Committee.
Her number one passion was being active in St. Luke's Catholic Church of Ogallala. She worked with the Hispanic Encuentro team and served on the Altar Society and the parish council. Rosie served on several committees and was a lector and Eucharistic minister. She was also active in the Ogallala/Keith County Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce.
Rosie loved to gamble and she and Luis frequented the casinos, dog races, and dances. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, doing puzzles, and playing scrabble and bingo. She enjoyed writing and making special recipes. The love of her children and grandchildren offered and opportunity to travel. She enjoyed planning entertainment for parties and especially liked dressing up. She became known as "Ogallala's Imelda Marcos" for her collection of many shoes.
Rosie is survived by her daughters; Toni Scusa, of Grand Island, NE; Melissa Trujillo, of Hiawatha, KS; son, Raymond Trujillo, of Fremont, NE; a brother, George (Louise) Baca, Colorado; five grandchildren; Rissa, Kayla, Kerstyn, Lucia and Max; and eight great-grandchildren; Ethan, Annabella, Tristan, Sophia, Ella, Elijah, Jove and Harlow.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Luis C. Trujillo in 2012, her son Luis A. Trujillo in 1974, and her great-granddaughter, Alejandra Reyna. A memorial has been established in her memory.
Online condolences may be left by signing the Guest Book at www.drauckerfuneralhome.com.
Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.