
Rosemarie Wozniak, 87, passed peacefully at Pilgrim Manor nursing home in Plymouth, Indiana. Rosemarie lived with her Parkinson’s diagnosis for over thirty years, navigating its challenges with grace, dignity, and a perennially positive attitude.
Rosemarie was born on May 13, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Marie (Altier) Palumbo. Rosemarie excelled academically bypassing two grade school levels and graduating from high school at the age of seventeen. After traveling to Europe at nineteen, she returned to a marriage proposal from Walter Wozniak. Wally and Rosemarie met as coworkers at the Peoples Gas Company in Chicago where they connected over many shared lunches. They fell in love and on January 26, 1957, Wally and Rosemarie wed at the Church of Resurrection. They settled in Northbrook, IL residing there for over thirty years and raising a family of three children: Jay, Karen, and Julie.
Rosemarie retired in 1990 from Village Wallpaper Shop a business that she started with her two cousins Adele and Cookie. Their knowledge of interior design, unique sense of style and love for sharing ideas translated into a successful interior design business spanning over twenty-five years. “The Girls”, as they were known, helped make houses feel like homes shaping design for thousands of families, including some famous names, and brought to all areas of the country. Rosemarie loved sharing design ideas and loved people. The business truly was a labor of love and gifted her with so many lifelong friends. Her love of design continued in retirement and projects kept her interest until her last days, most recently making her room tastefully her own at Pilgrim manor.
In retirement, Rosemarie and Wally made Plymouth their home. After building their retirement home on the 4th hole of the Plymouth Country Club in 1990, they quickly became very active members of the club, most notably helping with design and decorating ideas for the new clubhouse. She and Wally made many new friends and as a proud hostess, Rosemarie was naturally involved with coordinating many social activities for friends and family alike. They also enjoyed wintering in Florida, caring for her mother Marie, and spending time with their grandchildren.
Rosemarie was the first to offer a helping hand and always had a positive attitude. Always the life of the party she enjoyed hosting family and friends and loved the holidays, especially Christmas.
Rosemarie adored her husband, children, and grandchildren. She and Wally were married nearly fifty years when he preceded her in death (2006). She is survived by her three children: Walter “Jay” (Linda) Wozniak – Village of Lakewood, Illinois; Karen (Ben) Kraszyk – Plymouth, Indiana; and Julie (John) Haeffele – East Peoria, Illinois.
She is a proud grandmother of nine grandchildren: Jake (Rachel) Wozniak, Ryan (Amy) Kraszyk, Emily Kraszyk, Ben (Fiancé Emily) Kraszyk, Jon (Megan) Haeffele, and Nicolas Haeffele, Morgan Wozniak, Abby Kraszyk, Megan Wozniak. Rosemarie is a great-grandmother to two great-granddaughters, Everly Rose Kraszyk and Camryn Rose Wozniak.
She is also survived by her brother Bill (Sue) Palumbo and their daughter Mia, her game night neighbor and niece as well as other many treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rosemarie was preceded in death by her parents Marie and William and her brother Robert Palumbo.
Friends will be welcomed by family to celebrate the life of Rosemarie, on Saturday, June 17. Noon service at Saint Michaels Roman Catholic Church, 625 N. Center St., Plymouth, Indiana followed by a celebration of life at Swan Lake Resort, 5203 Plymouth Laporte Trail, Plymouth, Indiana.
Patty Romano says
Karen and Family,
What a beautiful lady
Rosemarie!
She will be missed.
Special family bond between the Krafts and Wozniaks.
Condolences,
Krafts and Romanos
Adele Rauba says
So very sorry to the Wozniak family. Rosemarie was a great lady and one of the nicest people I have met. She will be missed.
Love and prayers to the whole family,
DeeDee (Adele) Carlson Rauba
Beth Horvath says
Rose was a great lady. Her grace and peace through all she lived through radiated from her continually. She’ll be greatly missed. My prayers are lifted up for the entire family.
john says
rest in peace rosemarie
Walter Sanders says
I remember when Aunt Roe and Uncle June lived upstairs in Glenview shortly after they married. She was glamorous, warm, and always busy.
At that time there were four young Sanders kids living downstairs and she was always kind and patient with us despite the noise and chaos we generated.
What a wonderful person and a gift to the world.
Love and hugs to her family and friends.
Walter and Sharon Sanders
Bart Rinkenberger says
Julie and family, We love you and appreciate you. Your mother’s obituary shares the beauty of her life. You were blessed to have her as a mother, that is clear. We pray peace and goodness on your family.
Rosie says
My condolences and prayers to you all. I loved the way she could light up a room . Such a beautiful soul
Rosie says
My condolences and prayers to you all. I loved Rosemarie and how she could light up a room. Such a beautiful soul
Angie Kain says
We are so sorry to hear of Rosemarie passing. My husband and I both go to know her when we worked at the County Club. She was so kind and always remembered our names. One time she had taken me into her house to show me everything.
That meant so much to me, she never just treated me like “the help”