Rosemarie Lee, 91, of Galesburg, went home to her Lord at 9:10 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2023, following a brief hospital stay. Her last outing was attending church the previous Sunday.
She was born September 13, 1931, in Marquette, Wisconsin, the daughter of Oren L. and Rose Ann (Jarecke) Baker. After Rosemarie’s mother died at a young age, her father remarried and Rosemarie was raised by her father and stepmother, Dorothy Baker.
On September 3, 1949, she married Jackie Monroe Lee in Fort Madison, Iowa. They spent nearly 69 years together before Jack’s passing on August 6, 2018.
Rosemarie, affectionately known as Tootie, is survived by three children, Robert Lee, Jacquelyn (Jimmy) Stewart, and Jan (Bill) Greer; seven grandchildren, Angela Gonzales, Amanda (Andy) Giles, Marie (Stuart) Schaafsma, Lindsey Benoit, Joshua (Debra) Greer, Joel (Rebecca) Greer, and Daniel (Carina) Greer; sixteen great grandchildren, Jackson Gonzales; Drew, Alonzo and Annabelle Giles; Cora Schaafsma; Kylie and Peyton Benoit; Brennen, Caleb and Emily Greer; Mason, Levi and Silas Greer; and Eleanor, Abigail, and Clara Greer; a sister, Sharon (Duane) Kaufman; a brother, Gene (Sarah) Baker; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and stepmother.
Rosemarie was the bookkeeper for the family businesses, Lee Builders and Lee Apartments, where she enjoyed working with her husband and son. She was a devoted member of the First Church of the Nazarene, where she and Jack helped with youth ministry for over 25 years and where she served as a greeter. Rosemarie and Jack volunteered on several mission trips with the Nazarene Work and Witness Team, which took them all over the world, including a very special trip to Trinidad and Tobago where, along with their children and grandchildren, they built a water reservoir for the Caribbean Nazarene College.
Rosemarie’s ministry went beyond the church as she was known to be a prolific letter writer, sending notes of encouragement to friends and family. She also enjoyed hosting tea parties for all ages. Rosemarie was proud to make memories with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday July 23, 2023, at the First Church of the Nazarene. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Private family burial will be Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be dedicated to the Nazarene Church Mission Society. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be left on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.
