Rose Mary Howell age 96, formerly of Plainville and Payson, IL died on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. in Bickford Assisted Living, Quincy. Rose Mary was born at home on the family farm in Mt. Sterling, IL on December 6, 1927. She was the daughter of Alfred and Anna (Kerr) Krupps.

Rose Mary married Robert “Bob” Thomas Howell on May 5, 1951, in St. Mary Catholic Church in Mt. Sterling and he preceded her in death on January 20, 2016. Rose Mary was a 1949 graduate of the former St. Mary School of Nursing and began her career as a Pediatric Nurse at St. Mary Hospital. After her marriage she assumed the roles of farm wife, and volunteer community nurse helping many friends, neighbors and family with their health needs.

She was a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church and was a participant in the many parish dinners and events. She was known for her potato salad as part of the Plainville Lions Club July 4th celebration. Her joy was making cookies and angel food cakes. Her huge trays of cookies for the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange were legendary. Her life revolved around family gatherings, having taken over for her mother-in-law preparing memorable meals for religious and other holidays.

Rose Mary experienced wonderful trips to the Holy Land, to Rome and the Vatican, Spain and many memorable Super Crost Seed Corn Trips. Summer trips to the Muny Opera in St. Louis to see musicals, the Fox Theater, visits to the St. Louis Zoo and picnics in Forest Park, were some of her favorite pastimes.

Rose Mary and Robert played pinochle with five other couples on a Saturday once a month for 51 years. She was a supportive mother, who was there for her children as they participated in 4-H, Band, and their other activities, and she always encouraged them to get their education. She tended to a productive garden, which her children remember as their “daycare” where she taught them at an early age how to help maintain a successful garden. In 2019 she began residing at Bickford, where staff lovingly cared for her.

Rose Mary is survived by her children, Mary Ann (Mark) Morrison of rural Plainville, IL; Susan (David) Redman of rural Bloomington, IL; James R. (Judy) Howell of rural Walcott, IA; Carol (Chuck) McNett of Florida; grandchildren, Erica Fitzgerald; Christopher Morrison; Brian Morrison (fiancée Jami Brawdy); Emily Howell; Sarah Howell; Bridget McNett (fiancé Mitchell Provow); and Kyle (Alessa Strelecki) McNett. Great-grandchildren, Madeline Fitzgerald, Andrew Fitzgerald and Mackenzie Fitzgerald; Amilya Morrison; Claire Morrison, Lane Morrison; Brendan Morrison and Will Morrison.
Many nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her brothers and sisters, Laverne Krupps, Florence Carney, Regina Ruff, and A.J. Krupps.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid Catholic Church in Liberty, IL with Rev. Scott Snider officiant. Interment will be in Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home, Quincy, IL. Masses may be given in her memory, or memorials may be made to St. Brigid Catholic Church or to a charity of the Donor’s Choice. Messages may be shared online at: www.dukerandhaugh.com