Rose Ann Kohnz

Rose Ann Kohnz, who grew up taking turns with her siblings riding a donkey from their stone home to a one-room schoolhouse, and who in her later years owned a smartphone, died Sept. 18, 2024. She was 87.

Rose Ann was born Aug. 4, 1937, in Madonnaville to Peter and Agatha (nee Wuertz) Muertz. She joined older siblings Theodore "Teddy" (Esther) Muertz, George (Treva) Muertz, Geraldine "Gerry" (Bobby) Davis, Dolores (Alois) Johanning and Herbert "Herbie" (Jane) Muertz in the Madonnaville home built by their father. Younger siblings Mary Jean "Jeannie" (Jim) Wuertz, Edward "Eddie" Muertz, Richard "Dickie" (Nancy) Muertz and Joseph "Joe" (Lois) Muertz would follow. Always room for one more, the family rounded out by taking in Paul Wirsch. Siblings Teddy, George, Gerry, Dolores, Herbie, Eddie and Joe preceded her in death. Jeannie and Dickie survive.

More than 150 people, many of whom still live in Monroe County, are descendents of Peter and Agatha.

Rose Ann met Arlo Kohnz at her parents' tavern in Harrisonville, IL. They married May 30, 1960, and welcomed Debra (Kevin) Lubbes and Sharon (Allen) May to their family. Arlo preceded her in death. Her children and three grandchildren — Ethan (Emily) May, Avery (Amber) Lubbes and Conner Lubbes — all survive her.

Arlo and Rose Ann made their home in Valmeyer and were among the first to build a house in the new town after the flood of '93.

Rose Ann was a masterful seamstress, quilter and cook. She sewed wedding dresses for each of her daughters as well as their friends' bridesmaids dresses. She altered numerous homecoming and prom dresses for friends and family and was the go to person for costumes for Valmeyer school plays and musicals. She made many beautiful quilts for church raffles and for the Music Boosters Dinner Theater Auctions. Her chicken and dumplings and pies were the highlights of many family meals.

Rose Ann got her love of music from her mother and passed that love on to her family. She enjoyed singing with her church choir and the Valmeyer Community Chorus. 

She was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Valmeyer, singing in the choir for over 50 years; St. Ann Alter Sodality; Valmeyer Community Choir; Valmeyer Music Boosters; and Valmeyer Music Hall of Fame

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:

St. Mary Catholic Church - Valmeyer, IL
or Immaculate Conception Cemetery - Madonnaville, IL

Visitation:
2 PM to 6 PM Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
8 AM to 9:15 AM Monday, September 23, 2024 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL

Funeral Mass:
10 AM Monday, September 23, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Valmeyer, IL
     Father Urban Osuji officiating
Interment will immediately follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery - Madonnaville in Waterloo, IL