Rosa Leah Nussbaumer, 83, of Knoxville, passed away Friday, January 19, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill. Rosa launched her business, Rosa’s Catering Service, in Halls in 1971. For some years it has been run by her son, Phillip. Her other sons are William and Steven Nussbaumer. The full obituary is here.
Rosa’s parents came from Sicily in 1913, and Rosa grew up with a natural appreciation for the culinary arts. She received her degree in nutrition at the University of Tennessee, and soon after began work in a University of Georgia dairy lab and a Yale pharmacology lab, where she honed her skills on the physical and chemical properties of food.
It’s hard to know how many weddings, parties and other gatherings Rosa’s Catering has served over 53 years in Knox County and regionally. As a classically trained chef, she built a life around her love of food and service. And she involved all of her children and most of her friends in her catering adventures.
Rosa was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until noon on Friday, January 26, at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 Adair Drive. The funeral will be at noon with Pastor Amy Figg Ley officiating. The interment will follow in Lynnhurst Cemetery.