Celebrating National Women in Sports Day: Honoring the All-Star Athlete, Rosie Nerem

Today, in honor of National Women in Sports Day, we want to shine a spotlight on one of our incredible residents who is truly an all-star athlete: Rosie Nerem of Ecumen Meadows in Worthington, Minn. If you were to look up the definition of “multi-sport athlete,” you’d likely find Rosie’s picture right next to it. From bowling to snowmobiling, waterskiing to parasailing, and everything in between, Rosie has participated in an impressive array of sports throughout her life, including knee boarding, softball, basketball, golf, fishing, and horseback riding.

A Love of Horses and Adventure

Growing up on a farm, Rosie developed a love for horseback riding, an experience that would later lead to one of her most memorable adventures. Years after her childhood on the farm, she booked an adventure trip to Phantom Ranch in Arizona. There, Rosie rode a mule down into the Grand Canyon—a 10 to 11-mile trek. She spent the night at the bottom of the canyon and took a different route out the next morning. As she recalled, “I returned home with great memories and a sore fanny!” But this wasn’t the only thrill-seeking vacation she took. Rosie and her daughter, Ruth, ventured to Maui, where they caught Mahi Mahi in the Pacific Ocean and went parasailing. An experience she’ll never forget!

Bowling: A Passion Shared with Friends

Bowling was another sport Rosie enjoyed, and she spent many years in a bowling league alongside good friends. Her bowling average ranged between 130 and 140, but for Rosie, the real joy was being surrounded by great bowlers and, most importantly, great friends. “We had a lot of fun together,” Rosie fondly remembers.

Golfing: A Lifelong Passion

Rosie’s love for golf began in the early 1960s after she moved to Worthington. She quickly became an avid golfer, joining the ladies’ leagues at the Worthington Country Club, where she played alongside dear friends. Golf was perfect for Rosie because it allowed her to enjoy time with friends in beautiful outdoor settings during the warm seasons. She continued playing golf for many years, but she retired from the sport around eight years ago.

Fishing: A Lifelong Adventure

When asked which sport was her favorite, Rosie couldn’t choose between golf and fishing. Sportfishing has been an integral part of her life, and she has countless fish stories to tell. For many years, Rosie went on an annual fishing trip with the Reading Bus Line to Lake of the Woods. She’d travel up on Sunday and return by Thursday, always looking forward to the memories made.

Rosie’s fishing adventures were often shared with her dear friend and fishing buddy, Phyllis. It was on a fishing trip with Phyllis on the Missouri River that Rosie caught her biggest fish—a 21-pound northern! Rosie, a widow, knew the fish was too large for her to eat, so she asked Phyllis to give it to her son Brian, a taxidermist. A month later, Rosie was surprised to receive the mounted fish as a gift from Phyllis. The beautiful mount has proudly hung in her home ever since.

Another cherished fishing memory for Rosie was a trip with her nephew John to a lodge in Port Washington. While there, they fished on Lake Michigan, and Rosie caught a 17-pound salmon!

The End of an Era: A Farewell to Fishing

Though Rosie had to give up fishing about three years ago due to challenges with stability on the shore and rocks, she’ll always have a deep love for the sport. Her body told her it was time to stop, but she misses the thrill of fishing and the memories she made with her friends and family on the water.

On National Women in Sports Day, we celebrate Rosie Nerem’s lifelong passion for sports and her incredible ability to stay active, adventurous, and connected to the people she loves. She is a true inspiration and a reminder of how sport can shape our lives and bring joy, connection, and unforgettable memories.