Rosemarie Waldkirch

Rosemarie “Rosie” M. Waldkirch appreciated the simple things in life and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, he son said.

Mrs. Waldkirch died on Thursday, Aug. 23, at Forest Haven assisted living and hospice in Fredonia of complications from Parkinson’s disease. She was 90.

Mrs. Waldkirch was born in Port Washington on Feb. 6, 1928, to William and Henrietta Reis Greiveldinger.

She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1945.

Growing up, she worked on the family farm north of Port Washington and as a teenager she worked in the clerical office at Simplicity Manufacturing.  

She married Harold J. Becker on April 29, 1950, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Washington. Mr. Becker died in.October 1971.

In 1970, Mrs. Waldkirch went to work for St. Alphonsus Hospital, where she worked in the cafeteria until her retirement in 1995.  

She married Julius P. Waldkirch on March 3, 1982, at St. Peter Alcantara Catholic Church in Port Washington. They lived in Fredonia.

Mrs. Waldkirch enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, bowling, cooking, traveling and, in her later years, walking.

“Whenever my brother and I would visit, we’d go walking with her and a lot of the neighborhood people knew her,” her son, Kirk Becker said. “She would go out walking quite often, even in winter. It was good exercise for her and helped with her Parkinsons.”

Mrs. Waldkirch lived at home until early May this year, when she moved into Forest Haven, her son said.

She hosted and orchestrated many family gatherings and was always excited to cheer on her favorite high school, college and pro sports teams, her son said.

“We’re all big sports enthusiasts. She followed Port and Grafton high schools, the Brewers, Packers and Badgers. But with nine grandchildren, she pretty much rooted for all their favorite teams too,” Mr. Becker said. “My  sister lives in St. Louis, so she cheered for the Cardinals.”

She was active in church and was a reader at Divine Savior Parish’s St. Rose and Holy Cross chapels for many years.  

She was a warm, caring lady with a special smile and ability to connect with people, her son said.

Survivors include her husband, Julius; her children Kris (Jill) Becker of Saukville, Brian (Kathy) Becker of Wausau, Kirk (Terri) Becker of Ashwaubenon, Renee (Harold) Denlow of St. Louis; grandchildren Debra Jo Becker, Samuel Becker, Shannon (Sam) Dolezal, Kelly (Cole) Mathison, Megan (Nate) Evett, Karlee (Josh) Uttermark, Logan Becker, Morgan Denlow and Sydney Denlow; five great grandchildren; stepchildren,Renae Waldkirch of North Carolina, Julius G. Waldkirch of Washington, Jean (Patrick) Weymer of Roscoe, Ill.; stepgrandchildren Noah Summerville, Julius P. Waldkirch, Bella Weymer, Alex Weymer and Melissa Rader.

She was preceded in death by her first husband; siblings Marie Federspiel, Elvira Greiveldinger, William Greiveldinger, Harold Greiveldinger and Georgine Gebo; in-laws Jack Becker, George (Ruth) Becker and Greg Lanser.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, at Divine Savior Catholic Parish, Holy Cross Chapel. Father Todd Budde will preside. Visitation will be at the church from 4 to 5:45 p.m.

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Port Washington.

Memorials are suggested to the American Parkinson Disease Association

Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington assisted with arrangements.