(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by South Santiago Lutheran Church.)

Longtime local resident Rosalie Klinker was recently honored with a reading room named after her at South Santiago Lutheran Church. Klinker has attended South Santiago Lutheran Church since the 1950’s. Council President David Darsow unveiled “The Rosalie Room” sign above the reading room door the morning of Sunday, February 6th (between services). Rosalie and many of her family members and some friends were on hand for the event. Rosalie was surprised and humbled to learn that going forward, the room would be referred to as “The Rosalie Room.” Pastor Daryl Thul blessed Klinker’s work and admitted he might have lied to get her there for the unveiling! 

Thul shared: “Had Rosalie known the council was going to do this, there’s no doubt she would have objected, so I asked her to come on Sunday and help with Library Committee in the kitchen with Fellowship Hour.”

“Library Sunday” included teaching Kingdom Kids and Breakfast Club members how to check out books and also served as the grand opening of the reading room. There were appropriately themed frosted cupcakes adorned with gummy worms served. 

“Get it?” Thul asked. “Bookworms.”

Bill Rogers, the council president during the building project of South Santiago Lutheran Church nearly 20 years ago, commented how there wasn’t a library in the initial plans for the church when it was built.

“Someone – and I can’t remember who – donated some really nice bookshelves,” Klinker explained. 

Cheryl Ellingson and Jan Nitsch were the two who started the library, which is where Klinker found her niche in ministry. 

“I love books.” Rosalie shared with a smile. “And I love Jesus!”

Ruth Thom has taken over the library ministry, but that doesn’t mean Klinker is done with it. According to her daughter, Holly, Rosalie can’t help but look for new and exciting books that could be added to the SSLC treasures, whether browsing at a bookstore or a yard sale.