Rosemary Kuehn

Rosemary (Breunig) Kuehn, age 95, of Waunakee, passed following a brief illness and valiant battle with dementia.

Rosemary was born December 21, 1925, the fourth child of Arnold and Margaret (Marx) Breunig. Rosemary’s father had suddenly passed before her birth, leaving her mother to raise four young children until her untimely death when Rosemary was just two years old. Despite growing up in the Great Depression along with the tragic loss of her parents, Rosemary spoke fondly of farm life, hard times, and finding joy in the midst of difficulty. She and her four siblings were raised by her stepfather, Henry, and his sister, Margaret Maier, whom she loved as her mother and called “Tante.”

Rosemary and her siblings were very close and loved playing cards, listening to music, and attending church dinners and dances. Rosemary met Arthur Kuehn, the love of her life, at a Springfield dance after his return from five years of service in World War II. They were married October 7, 1948.

Rosemary and Art settled in Waunakee, living a simple but genuine life. Rosemary worked outside the home once her children were in school but mainly enjoyed her chosen vocation of wife and mother. She was a woman of strong faith, family, and service. She took pride in hosting family celebrations, cooking and baking delectable dishes. She was known for her peppernuts at Christmas, jams and pies in summer, and Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. She was quite the card shark and loved to play euchre. She had a laugh that was contagious, a smile that was genuine, and a special way of making people feel loved. Rosemary was a very active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She regularly visited the sick and elderly, delivered communion, and volunteered at Waunakee Manor. She enjoyed reading and studying scripture, and praying. In her later years, she especially loved being a great-grandmother. She had just the right bounce and touch comforting babies, playing and talking to the younger generations. Most important, she never left a visit or gathering without letting her family know she loved them.

Rosemary is survived by her three children: Virginia (Paul) Kopp, Michael (Debbie) Kuehn, and Paul (Kathy) Kuehn; nine grandchildren: Jennifer (Demetrio) Aguila, Jason (Katie) Kopp, Matthew (Kelly) Kopp, Michael (Kayla) Kopp, Jessica (Travis) Follen,
Daniel (Stacey) Kuehn, Abigail (Michael) Turgeon, Emily Kuehn, and Alex Kuehn; 22 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Art, her parents, and her siblings Barbara (George) Kruchten, Lawrence (Lorraine) Breunig, Antoinette (Vincent) Dohm, Michael (Regina) Maier; and all 13 of Art’s siblings and their spouses: Wilbert (Sybilla) Kuehn, Olivia (John) Laufenberg, Ray (Etta) Kuehn, Sylvester (Elizabeth, Martha) Kuehn, Walt (Mary) Kuehn, Betty (Walter) Ripp, Leonard (Herlindis) Kuehn, LaVern (Katie) Kuehn, Lucille (Wilbert) Gross, Lavina (Sam) Fedele, Albert (Olga) Kuehn, Ben (Kay, Mary) Kuehn, and Kathleen (George) Statz.

A mass will be held at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 209 South Street, Waunakee, at 11 a.m., MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021. Burial will take place in the church cemetery following the service. A visitation will be held at WINN CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 5785 Co Rd Q, Waunakee, on SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2021, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., and at 10 a.m. before the service on Monday.

A special thanks to Four Winds Lodge Assisted Living and Memory Care staff for their compassionate care.

“Grandma Rosie, thank you for creating memories our hearts will hold forever. We love you and will miss you dearly.”