Rosemary Schwager

Rosemary (Deppe) Schwager, 93, passed away on February 19, 2018, at Luther Manor Grand Meadows, surrounded by her family. Rosemary died from kidney failure after receiving dialysis for the past three years. A celebration of Rosemarys amazing life will be with a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 24, at St. Josephs Church in Bellevue. A visitation will be from 3:00 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, at Hachmann Funeral Home and Saturday morning from 9:00 10:00 a.m.Rosemary was born to Henry and Pearl (Dirksen) Deppe in Springbrook on January 10, 1925. She graduated from St. Josephs High School and then worked at the Gibson Company in Bellevue during World War II. Rosemary married Vincent Schwager on Valentines Day in 1946. They farmed west of Bellevue where they raised 12 children. Family, friends and faith were extremely important to Rosemary. Gardening, sewing, cooking, baking and reading were some of Rosemarys hobbies and many talents. Her famous potato salad, chocolate chip and sugar cookies, and grape jelly were family favorites. She volunteered her time as a 4-H leader, at St. Josephs Lunch Program, and at the Bellevue Senior Center. When her children were older, Rosemary became a Certified Nursing Assistant at Mill Valley Care Center. Rosemary learned to use a computer and kept in contact with many via email and Facebook. She put together many scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and photos, keeping a history of family and friends. If there was an opportunity to travel or take on a new adventure, Rosemary had her bag packed and was ready to go! Rosemary enjoyed family events and celebrating milestones in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rosemary is survived by 10 children: Barb (Gary) Miller of Maquoketa, Ruth (Jim) Lewis of Dubuque, Joe (Rosie) Schwager of Maquoketa, Lorin (Debbie) Schwager and Chuck (Kathy) Schwager of Bellevue, Tim (Sheryl) Schwager and Susie (Jonathan) Poulton of Iowa City, Steve (Julie) Schwager of Prairie Du Chien, Mick (Tricia) Schwager of Bellevue, Marty (Jolea) Schwager of Clive, and daughter-in-law Cindy Schwager of Cascade. She enjoyed spending time with her 35 grandchildren: Sandy, Brad, Meghan, Corby, Cammy, Abbey, Nathan, Jessica, Abe, Annie, Jason, Kate, Tessa, Tiffany, Tina, Emily, Adleigh, Amy, Nicholas, Eric, Laura, Andrea, Sister Sophia, Christopher, Matthew, Mariah, Wesley, Jeb, Wade, Quinton, Kambree, Rozzlyn, Zachary, and Keaton; 28 great-grandchildren and 4 more expected this spring. She is also survived by a sister, Carol (Joe) Schaefer, and sisters-in-law Lucille Deppe and Phyllis Schwager. Rosemary is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vincent in 1993, sons Tom and Paul Schwager, daughter-in-law Rita Krause, grandson Trevor Schwager, and brothers Allan and Robert Deppe. The family would like to thank the skilled and caring staff at Tri-State Dialysis and Luther Manor. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.