Rosemary “Rose” Wiersema, 88, of Morrison, IL, died Thursday, December 13, 2018, at Windsor Manor in Morrison.
Rose was born February 4, 1930, in Albany, IL, to Anno and Rena (Heun) Huizenga. She was educated in the Slocum Street School of rural Whiteside County and was a 1947 graduate of Erie High School in Erie, IL. Rose married Alvin J. “Bud” Wiersema on March 11, 1949, in Erie. She was a homemaker and farmed with her husband in the Lyndon, IL, area. She also spent a short time employed as a Nurses’ Aid at Morrison Community Hospital in Morrison. Rose was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison and the church’s Ladies Aid Society. She also served as a Sunday School and Cathechism teacher at Newton Zion Reformed Church in rural Erie, IL. Rose enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She and her daughter, Linda, sang for many different events. including mother-daughter banquets, funeral services, and weddings. Rose received her greatest enjoyment from life on the farm.
Survivors include her husband, Bud; one daughter, Linda Heiden of Galena, IL; two sons, Gary (Susan) Wiersema of Fishers, IN, and Dale (Bunny) Wiersema of Aitkin, MN; five grandchildren, Todd (Angie) Heiden, Justin (Heather) Heiden, Katie (Brian) Phillippi, Jamie (Josh) Smith, and Nathan Wiersema; two step-grandchildren, Eric Masurka and Myia (Charles) Pardise; 11 great-grandchildren, Cora and Gabe Heiden; Jarrett Heiden and Brooke Sinning; Grace, Jack and Samantha Phillippi; Grayson, Garner, and Reese Smith; Mykalea Pardise; one brother, Willard (Phyllis) Huizenga of Morrison.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Verna Norman, Hazel Norman, Norma Bush, and Wilma Jean Huizenga in infancy; one brother, John Huizenga.
Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 17, 2018, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, with Mr. Ken Renkes officiating.
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 16, 2018, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial has been established to Great Grandson Gabe Heiden-Team Gabe H.-Children’s Organ Transplant Association.