Anthony (Tony) Eugene Rossetti, 40, of Mechanicsville, passed away at his home Sept. 11, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be organized and announced at a later date. The family is being cared for by the Stewart Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.
Tony was born Feb. 2, 1983, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, the son of Roger and Cheryl (Smith) Rossetti. He was unconditionally loved, cherished and supported by his parents as their only child. He was united into marriage to Kari Knudtson, Oct. 10, 2015, in Cedar Falls.
Tony graduated high school from City High and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Iowa.
Tony is survived by his parents, wife, children, Gianna and Leo Rossetti; previous wife, Kelli (Matthew) Cerruto, and their child Tessa Cerruto; mother-in-law, Barb (Roger) Leistad; father-in-law, Jeffrey Knudtson; brothers-in-law, Justin (Ann) Knudtson, Brian (Caitlyn Robert) Knudtson, and Brody (Kari) Knudtson; friend, Jonathan (Cassie) Shear; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Tony was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph (Betty) Smith and Eugene (Elsie) Rossetti.
Tony loved to be on the stream fly fishing with his friend Jon. He taught himself through online tutorials and took great pride and joy in learning to cast just right, the right fly for the place and hatch, and picking the perfect spot on the stream. Even on days when the fish weren’t biting, they’d go back to camp, sit around the fire swapping stories and laughing, reminiscing about all the memories they shared over the years.
His children were his greatest pride. He always wanted to give them the most fun and loving experience when they were together. Whether that was birding or watching football with Leo, taking Gianna to the library, competing with her in a strategic board game, anticipating together the release of the newest family video game, preparing their preferred individual meal requests, or just lounging about the house. There were infinite moments they shared in between, but no matter what, he always wanted his kids to know he loved them and was beyond proud of the people they had become and were becoming.
Tony was incredibly proud of the close relationship he and Kari had formed with Kelli and Matt in co-parenting their shared children. So much love, respect, and compassion flowed between all of them.
After moving to an acreage with Kari in 2019, he understood and cherished the quiet solitude of life outside of town. He helped care for and loved all their fur babies and had a special relationship with each one. He knew how much Kari loved animals and wanted to give her the world. He loved showering her with cards for no particular occasion, so she knew just how much he cared for and loved her.
To know Tony was to meet one of the most charismatic people you have ever met. He wanted life to be light-hearted for anyone he met and tried never to take himself or this earthly world too seriously. To the people who will meet Kari, who had interacted with Tony, continue to tell stories of how much better he would make them feel, the way he led work teams with such positivity or the way he always tried to make people laugh.
His passing has left a hole in many hearts, and his friends and family pray that all who knew him will find comfort in their fond and joyful memories of him.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to support nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention organizations in Tony’s honor.
For anyone experiencing mental health crisis please reach out to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.