Ursula A. McRostie

Ursula A. McRostie, age 88, of St. Peter, died Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the home of long time neighbors, Scott and Mary Kreykes.

Ursula was born on November 16, 1935, to Arthur L. and Anne M. (Einfalt) Schwieger in Gering, Nebraska.  She attended public schools in Gering and graduated from Gering High School.  While in high school, Ursula was president of the Latin Club, German Club, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society.  Ursula continued her education by attending Western Nebraska Jr. College, the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.  She spent time in Sierra Leona, Africa teaching English.  Between 1955 and 1966 Ursula taught primary grades in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wisconsin.  In 1967, she moved to St. Peter to become a member of the Department of Education faculty at Gustavus Adolphus College.  While at Gustavus she met her future husband, Clair McRostie.  They were married in 1968 at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter.  At the time of Clair’s death in 2018, they had been married for 50 years.

Ursula retired from Gustavus in 1996.  Prior to her retirement, she worked in the development office there. 

Ursula was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Education Association, and Pi Lambda Theta, a prestigious education society.  Ursula was also a member of the local PEO, a women’s philanthropic and service organization.  She was a very active member of First Lutheran Church.  She was a long term member of the Altar Guild and loved performing with the church’s handbell choir. She also enjoyed teaching Sunday School and working in the church library.  Other favorite activities included playing the piano, reading, sewing, doing needlework, and walking her special dogs, Toby and Duffey.  Ursula and Clair were avid travelers and traveled all over the world.  After retiring, they traveled to New England, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. 

Ursula’s favorite historical figure was Barbara Bush because, she thought, Barbara was honest, dependable, gracious and kind, and had an inner strength along with a sense of humor.  People who know Ursula recognize that she had the same characteristics as those she admired in Barbara Bush.  Above all, Ursula will be remembered as being a kind and gentle and refined lady.

Ursula is survived by her sister-in-law, Ladonna Schwieger and nephew, Robert Schwieger.

Ursula was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clair; and brothers, John and Robert.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, St. Peter. Visitation will be one hour before service at the church on Saturday.  Interment will be in West Lawn Cemetery, Gering, Nebraska.  St. Peter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial gifts are preferred to the Gustavus Arboretum, First Lutheran Church (McRostie Endowment) or the St. Peter PEO.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.