ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Funeral services were held June 25 for Rose Totino, co-founder of Totino's Pizza. Totino, who died of cancer at Methodist Hospital here, was 79.
behind our successful pizza operations," wrote Paul S. Walsh, chief executive officer of Pillsbury, in a memo to company officers.
Totino tasted pizza while visiting relatives in Pennsylvania, where it was popular. She learned how to make it and baked some for her friends in Minnesota. Their response led Totino and her husband, James, to open Totino's Italian Kitchen in 1951. In 1962, the Totinos began making frozen pizza. James' failing health compelled the couple to sell the business to Pillsbury in 1975 for $20 million. James died in 1981.
Upon selling the company, Totino became the first woman vice president of Pillsbury. She and her husband also became known for their philanthropic contributions, donating large sums of money to area schools and organizations. She continued her philanthropic efforts and was still working when she was diagnosed with cancer three weeks before her death.
Totino is survived by two daughters, Joanne Elwell and Bonnie Brenny, both of Fridley, Minn., as well as nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a sister, Mary DelVecchio of Las Vegas, and brothers Earl and Louis Cruciani of Minneapolis.
