Rose Mary Croegaert

Rose Mary Croegaert, age 90, of Chandler, AZ, formerly of Annawan, IL, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Annawan, IL, with Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht celebrating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. A Recitation of the Rosary will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Atkinson Chapel, followed by a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Memorials may be directed to the Rose Mary Croegaert Memorial Fund.

Rose was born on March 9, 1934, in Annawan, IL, to Victor and Margaret (DeClercq) Wancket. She was a proud graduate of Annawan High School, class of 1952. On August 9, 1952, she married Leroy A. Croegaert at Sacred Heart Church in Annawan. He preceded her in death.  Together, they lived and worked on their dairy farm, where Rose was not only a devoted farm wife and mother but also assisted with the daily milking operations for 40 years. In addition to raising ten children, she worked at various local establishments, including Annawan High School, Good Samaritan, Hammond Henry Hospital, Sauk Trail Inn, and the Purple Onion, serving as a cook, housekeeper, and caregiver.

A devout member of Sacred Heart Church, Rose was actively involved in the Altar and Rosary Society, taught CCD classes, and participated in Cursillo. Her deep faith and dedication to her family were the cornerstones of her life.

Rose is survived by her children, David (Dawn) Croegaert of Ogden, IL, Barbara (Mike) Van Hamme of Chandler, AZ, Lou Ann (Mike) Kluever of Cambridge, IL, Dwayne (Sally) Croegaert of Geneseo, IL, Russell (Cathy) Croegaert of Butler, KY, Annette (Roger) Bates of Kewanee, IL, Joyce (Dan) Evans of Leroy, MN, Phyllis Rogers of Fort Dodge, IA, Charles (Kassy) Croegaert of Annawan, IL, and Eric (Kelly) Croegaert of Morris, IL. She also leaves behind her siblings, Richard Wancket of Annawan, IL, Mary Ann Wancket of LaPlace, IA, and Jane Isaacson of Blue Eye, MO; 32 grandchildren; 50 and counting great-grandchildren; and many others she lovingly cared for as her own.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Margaret Wancket; her loving husband, Leroy Croegaert; brother, Arthur Wancket; sister, Patricia Kaiser; granddaughter, Melissa Bates; and great-grandsons, Wryder Theisen and Liam Croegaert.

The family of Rose would like to send their sincere thanks to Elements of Elder Care In-Home Hospice of Phoenix, AZ, for their excellent and caring guidance.