Rosemary Kremer

Rosemary Kremer, 83, of Devil's Elbow, died on Thursday, December 10, 2020. She went to her rest peacefully, in her home and surrounded by family.

Rosemary was born October 3, 1937 in Kansas City, MO, to Mildred and Frank Taylor.   In 1955, she graduated from Waynesville High School, in Waynesville, MO. On December 29, 1956 she was united in marriage to Charles (Chuck) E. Kremer at Chapel 12, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine's Parish for 58 years. A devoted member of the church, she was a part of its Altar and Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, and taught catechism for many years. 

A woman who “never met a stranger”, she is remembered fondly by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.  Many of those meetings and memories stem from her numerous contributions in service to others during her life—especially nursing and caring for the needs of the elderly. An active member of her community, she enjoyed the many dear lifetime friends she made through the church, especially her Sisters in Heart, JoAnn Rosipal and Pauline LaMountain, as well as during her work with the 4-H program, the Greenhorn Extension Club, and the United Women of Local Churches. Her memories of the many people who graced the pages of her life were encyclopedic, despite the occasional juxtaposition of names when referring to a specific family member, a daily source of mischief and merriment to them all.

Rosemary was the heart and soul of her family because family meant everything to her. They will all miss her easy smile, friendly and talkative manner, and her focus on the good in people.   All affectionately remember their times sharing stories and making her laugh. Her catchphrase was "That's What I Know".  Indeed, she knew from lived experience the power of prayer, the importance of faith, family, friends, fellowship, love, acceptance and compassion. 

Rosemary absolutely loved collecting and distributing memorabilia about and to her family. Every news clipping, announcement, card, and memento was shared, displayed, and cherished. She collected coffee mugs, from across the country. Though her collection started small, her large family and friends showed their love by buying her more as gifts, souvenirs, and just because, eventually prompting her husband Chuck to build her a twenty-eight-foot-long display shelf.  Even as she began to gift special ones to friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, those that loved her couldn’t help refilling the shelf.

As a lifetime gardener, she always enjoyed discussing the current work being done to prepare, plant, or harvest for the current year. In later years she became a dedicated, mobile armchair gardener. She was often found with a smile and spade, offering a handful of vegetables to friends and family.

She was a fierce ping pong player, and enjoyed schooling her son-in-law Will (Coyne), especially when he talked smack. She freely shared in her love of cooking and canning. No recipes were sacred or secret, if someone asked for it, she gladly shared it. The process of her canning each year included ensuring that she made enough to share with her friends and family. Even in the last month of her life, she happily made her brown bread with Faith, Margaret, Joseph and Chuck to give to family and friends over the holiday season. Care being a cornerstone, she even directed the grinding of raisins and nuts, so they would be just right.

Our mother knew nothing but love.  It manifested itself in the phone conversations, the family gatherings, the handwritten letters, birthday cards, anything to remind each just how much she cared for them and was thinking about them.  We are a large family, with so many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles, and absorbed family friends.  Mom made all feel special and gave so much of herself equally for all to enjoy.  To the very end, she showed great strength and heart.  From her youngest son, Frank:  “I personally am so grateful to have the last words she spoke to me and Tammy (my wife) be, ‘love you’”.  LOVE is a powerful word.  It’s easy to say, but practicing it takes more. From Lao Tzu, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”  For our mother, her love overflowed in all that she did and how she lived her life.  Thank you for that mom.  WE LOVE YOU TOO, always and forever. 

Rosemary is survived by her husband of 63 years, Charles E. Kremer; three daughters, Faith (Eric) Chaney of Devil’s Elbow, Missouri, Margaret (Will) Coyne of Waynesville, Missouri, and Marie (Paul) Dickerson of Columbia, Missouri; five sons Christopher Kremer of Devil’s Elbow, Missouri, Paul (Gül) Kremer of Ames, Iowa, Edward (Nicole) Kremer of Gladstone, Missouri, David (Jill) Kremer of Lebanon, Missouri and Frank (Tammy) Kremer of St. Louis, Missouri; one brother, FJ (Pat) Taylor of Rolla, Missouri; one sister-in law Ann Noonan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and two brothers-in-law Joseph Kremer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and John (Linda) Kremer of Cascade, Iowa; 27 grandchildren Christina (Jerome) Rainwater Leslie, Katherine Rainwater, Alicia (Mike) Subotich, Theresa (Sean) Wallace, Robert (Shanna) Bondoni, Jonathan (Valarie) Bondoni, Steven Bondoni, Angela Bondoni, Elijah Chaney, Christopher Chaney, Leilani Chaney, Joseph Chaney, Salihcan Kremer, Loren Coyne, Crystal Coyne, Charles Kremer, Daniel Kremer, Lillian Kremer, Elsa Dickerson, Benjamin Dickerson, Anna Dickerson, Adrienne Kremer, Tessa Kremer, Delaney Kremer, Seth Kremer, Russell Kremer, Beatrix Kremer; 8 great-grandchildren Sonja, Bella, Vincent, Rocco, Leo, Smith, Sawyer, Nova; Honorary daughter Marilyn (Thiltgen) Miller; lifelong friend Gary Max Eldredge; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred (Meyer) and Frank Taylor; three sisters Jessiemarie, June, and Judy;  her daughter MaryBeth and son Richard; grandsons Zachary Rainwater and Cale David Kremer.

Friends and relatives may visit with the family while a rosary is led by members of the Altar and Rosary Society, on Friday December 25, 2020 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church Fellowship Hall from 3:00-4:30 pm.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, St. Robert, Missouri on December 26, 2020 at 10:00 am, with interment directly following at the Resurrection Cemetery. A livestream of the funeral will be available through the church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Saint-Robert-Bellarmine-Catholic-Church-158635704310347, for family and friends unable to attend in person. (Instructions for finding the stream to follow).  For those attending in person, we ask that you wear a mask and practice social distancing. 

In lieu of flowers, Rosemary would request that you make a donation to Janet's Wish P.O. Box 4491, Waynesville, MO 65583; St. Robert Bellarmine Altar & Rosary Society, care of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church 367 Old Route 66 St. Robert, Mo 65584; Mississippi Valley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center 500 Messenger Rd in Keokuk IA, 52632; or do a good deed for others in her name.

To share a memory or condolences with her family please visit

www.rollacremation.com