Rosemary R. Metzger, 87, formerly of Ursa, passed away on March 14, 2018 at the Marigold Nursing Home in Galesburg. Rosemary was born on April 7, 1930 in Quincy and the first daughter of Joseph and Mildred (Wiewel) Neisen with ten brothers and sisters. Rosemary graduated from Liberty High School. She married John E. Metzger on November 19, 1949 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He died on March 11, 2011.
She is survived by her son, Steve (Teresa) Metzger of Ursa, Illinois, daughters, Laurie Peters (Terry Sortillo) of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Cheryl Geitner of Knoxville, Illinois. Grandchildren include Stephanie (John) Averyt of Sarasota, Florida, Kristen Peters of Chicago, Illinois; Conner (Paige) Peters, Bettendorf, Iowa; Matthew Geitner, Waterloo, Iowa; Katelyn Metzger, Nashville, Tennessee; Annie Geitner, Urbana, Illinois; and Kristi Metzger, St. Louis, Missouri; a great granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Averyt. Her sisters include Alvera (Darel) Carroll from Carthage, Illinois; Pat (John) Becker from Kansas City, Missouri, and brothers include Jim (Peggy) Neisen and Kenny (Susie) Neisen, both from Fowler.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, Orville, Earl, Norbert, Robert, and Don Neisen and a sister, Alberta Guthrie.
Rosemary was a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church and Altar Society, Bear Creek American Legion Auxiliary, and a 4-H Leader. She was a partner in Metzger Farms with her husband and was known for her great cooking, gardening and canning skills.
Funeral services will be on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Mendon. Fr. Jeffrey E. Stone will officiate. Visitation will be at Duker & Haugh Funeral Home in Quincy on Sunday, from 3 to 6 p.m. Burial will be at the Sunset Cemetery at the Illinois Veterans Home next to her late husband, John Metzger.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the donor’s choice.