Rosemary Kuster

KEWANEE - Rosemary Ann Riggins Kuster, 89, of Kewanee passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, at Royal Oaks Care Center in Kewanee.

She was born Dec. 27, 1924, in Peoria, Ill., the daughter of Edward William Riggins and Bertha Alice Lynfoot Riggins. She married Donald Carl Kuster on May 13, 1944, in Dunlap, Ill.

Her husband and parents preceded her in death, along with a sister, Glenna Marie Riggins Calhoun; and brothers, Richard William Riggins and Robert Jean Riggins.

Surviving are a son, Larry Donald Kuster (wife, Mary); a daughter, Mary Lynn Kuster Shoemaker; grandchildren, David Kuster (wife, Diana), Ryan Kuster, Matthew Shoemaker (wife, Dr. Randi Shedlosky), Ann Shoemaker and Mark Shoemaker (wife, Kayla); and great-granddaughters, Alyssa Mae Kuster and Lucelia Ann Shedlosky-Shoemaker.

Rosemary enjoyed being a farm wife who loved to garden and cook. Her recipes would feed seven or 70. She was devoted to her family. Fishing was one of her great pastimes.

Rosemary was one of the first "Gray Ladies" at Kewanee Public Hospital. She chaired the community restoration effort of Woodland Palace at Francis Park, was a founding member of the Francis Park Foundation Board, started the July 4th Celebration at Francis Park and was responsible for the State and Federal Historic Site designations of Woodland Palace. She organized the first recycling program in Kewanee and was active in the Kewanee Women's Club and Business and Professional Women's Club. While serving on the Henry County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, she had a radio program on WKEI that included her interviews of Richard Nixon and U.S. Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen. After her children were grown, she graduated from Black Hawk College, East Campus, with an associate arts degree.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kewanee. The Rev. David Schweppe will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church or the Francis Park Foundation and will be accepted by the funeral home.

Rux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.ruxfuneralhome.com.