Rosemary Joan Mlakar
September 22, 1929 - December 30, 2025
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Rosemary Joan Mlakar
September 22, 1929 - December 30, 2025
Obituary
Rosemary’s Funeral Mass at St. Timothy Catholic Church can be viewed online
live on January 24, 2026 at 10:00am or after the service at
https://youtube.com/live/cy7QNsZAsIM
Rosemary Joan Mlakar passed from this life on December 30, 2025, in Laguna Niguel, CA. Rosemary was born on September 22, 1929, to Slovenian immigrants Alojsius and Theresia Rose Novak in Chisholm, MN. After graduating from Chisholm High School in 1947, she attended Hibbing Community College and was employed at the Hibbing office of the Oliver Mining Company. On September 17, 1949, she married Joseph J. Mlakar, with whom she had four sons.
Facing deteriorating economic conditions on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range, the Mlakar family relocated to Fontana, California, in 1960, where they purchased, owned, and operated a popular nightclub for over 30 years. Meanwhile, the family grew when they were blessed with a daughter.
As a young woman, Rosemary had dreamed of becoming a nurse, but her loving, old-world parents discouraged her from pursuing higher education. However, she knew that acquiring skills and continuing to learn were necessary to achieve financial independence, and she instilled that value in her children. After her sons were grown and on their own, Rosemary furthered her own education at the local community college to become a certified teacher’s aide. For the next 10 years, she earned the respect of her colleagues and boosted the confidence and self-sufficiency of teenage mothers—some of whom were only thirteen years old—by teaching homemaking skills, infant care, baking, cooking, and other practical skills at the Pregnant Minor Program of the Rialto School District Continuation School.
Rosemary was a leader in the Slovenian Women’s Union of America, now known as the Slovenian Union of America. She revived Fontana’s Branch #100 and served on the National Board as a Regional Vice President. She was instrumental in securing funding for the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Foundation, thereby ensuring that it would continue to help advance educational goals for young men and women for decades to come.
Devoted to family and gifted in the art of nurturing children, Rosemary maintained close relationships with all of her grandchildren. Every summer, she gathered them in the warmth of her home for activities that created cherished memories and lasting bonds among cousins. After her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the grandchildren—many now with families of their own—visited her regularly, reflecting the deep love, connection, and values she instilled in them.
Rosemary enjoyed traveling with her girlfriends. Among their adventures were tours of Greece and Yugoslavia, road trips to Minnesota, and visits to the casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin. They dubbed themselves the “real-life Golden Girls,” a name that perfectly captured their marital status, happiness, sense of fun, and adventurous spirit. Her last overseas trip was with her beloved brother Louis to renew ties with relatives in Slovenia.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph J. Mlakar (2017); father, Alojsius Novak (1967); mother, Theresia Rose Novak (1988); brother, Louis A. Novak of Chisholm, MN (2014); and first cousin, Ronnie (Novak) Boucher of Hibbing, MN (2025). She is survived by sons Joseph L. (Teresa) of Roseville, CA; Fredrick of Irvine, CA; John (Lucille) of Auburn, CA; Martin (Patti) of Moreno Valley, CA; and daughter Teresa (Ken) Koci of Laguna Niguel, CA; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
Funeral services, including viewing and rosary, will be held on Friday evening at 7:00pm January 23 at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 24 at 10:00am at Saint Timothy’s Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel, followed immediately by a celebration of life in the church hall.
The Funeral Mass can also be viewed online live or after the service at
https://youtube.com/live/cy7QNsZAsIM
In lieu of flowers, Rosemary specifically requested that donations be sent or given in the form of a personal check made payable to the Slovenian Women Union Scholarship Foundation (SWUSF), 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103, attn: President Stane Kuhar. Please indicate on the check, “In memory of Rosemary Mlakar.” For more information or questions about this scholarship foundation, please contact Mr. Kuhar at skuhar@hotmail.com or 216-314-9403.
Vigil Service
- Date & Time: January 23, 2026 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
- Venue: O'Connor Mortuary Chapel
- Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 581-4300
Funeral Mass
- Date & Time: January 24, 2026 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
- Venue: St. Timithy Catholic Church - see obituary for link to view online
- Location: 29102 Crown Valley Pkwy Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 - (Get Directions)
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: January 24, 2026 (11:00 AM)
- Venue: St. Timothy Church Hall
- Location: 29102 Crown Valley Pkwy Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 - (Get Directions)
Slovenian Women Union Scholarship Foundation
- Address: 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103 - (Get Directions)
- Email Address: skuhar@hotmail.com
- Phone Number: (216) 314-9403
- Description: In lieu of flowers, Rosemary specifically requested that donations be sent or given in the form of a personal check made payable to the Slovenian Women Union Scholarship Foundation (SWUSF), 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103, attn: President Stane Kuhar. Please indicate on the check, “In memory of Rosemary Mlakar.” For more information or questions about this scholarship foundation, please contact Mr. Kuhar at skuhar@hotmail.com or 216-314-9403.
3 responses to Rosemary Joan Mlakar
Frank Butsch says:
January 12, 2026
My sincere condolences to the Mlakar family for your loss. May Rosemary’s memories be eternal. She was a beautiful person. RIP
Petra Deutschl says:
January 12, 2026
Our sincere condolences to the Mlakar family from Austria. Rest in peace, Rosemary.
Hedy Williamson says:
January 24, 2026
Rosemary was a remarkable woman and a wonderful faithful friend,,to my mother, Pauli, and to all the great SNPJ family..