Obit: Kunze, Rose "Rosie" May #2 (1927 - 2005)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Kunze, Seidelmann, Wieting, Dern, Hightower, O’Mary

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI) May 11, 2005

Kunze, Rose "Rosie" M. (July 13, 1927 - May 5, 2005)

Rosie Kunze, age 77, of Neillsville, died Thursday, May 5, 2005, in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Rose May Kunze was born on July 13, 1927 in Neillsville, the daughter of Tony and Mamie (Seidelmann) Wieting. She attended Hillside School in the Town of Pine Valley, St. John’s Lutheran School in Neillsville and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1945. She worked for Art Dern at the Neillsville Bakery for a year and a half and also for the USDA-AAA (American Agriculture Association) office from 1947-1950. Rosie was united in marriage to Donald A. Kunze on October 11, 1949. She was re-employed at the USDA-ASCS (Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service) from 1964 to 1988 as administrative clerk, program assistant trainer, counter clerk, ACP program and other duties. She also kept records for Don’s carpentry business for 12 years. Rosie retired on January 3, 1988. Since then she has done volunteer work, mostly at church-quilting for Lutheran World Relief; buffet luncheons, altar guild, ushering, etc. She has been active with the Memorial Medical Center guild and gift shop. She has held all offices, mainly treasurer, in TOPS Chapter #146. She has assisted at bloodmobiles and has been a greeter at The Highground.

Rosie always enjoyed bowling, golf and fishing. Most recently it was playing bridge, crocheting and crafts. But mostly she enjoyed the joy of family gatherings at Christmas, birthdays and reunions. Rosie felt blessed to have a wonderful family and grandchildren that have brought great joy in her life.

She is survived by her four sons, Steve (Jennifer) Kunze; Mark (Wanda) Kunze; Bruce Kunze and Brian (Marcy) Kunze, all of Neillsville; grandchildren, Joseph, Jennifer, Crystal, Michelle, Jacob and Katie Jo Kunze; two step-grandchildren, Patricia (Art) Hightower and Mike (Mary) O’Mary; and three step-great-grandchildren, Sophia and Ellianna Hightower and Bridger O’Mary.

Memorial Services for Rosie were held Tuesday, May 10, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville, Wis. Pastor James Gordon officiated. Music was provided by Kris Herbrand, organist, Gail Dix, soloist and the Calvary Lutheran Church Choir. Interment was in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Honorary Casket Bearers were her grandchildren.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Rosie’s family with funeral arrangements.