Rose Marie (Rosemary) Weber

Rose Marie (Rosemary) Weber, 92, of 604 E. 6th Street, Peru, IL, died in her home, in the house where she was born, surrounded by loved ones late Saturday morning, August 28, 2021. Rosemary, Rosie, Rose, Babe, was a loving wife mother, mother-in-law, busia (grandmother), sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and a long-time familiar face in the neighborhood of St. Valentine’s Catholic Church as well as in her local community. Born February 20, 1929, in the home where she would eventually raise her own family, to Rose Clara Ciesielski and John Joseph Urbanowski, Rosemary was the youngest of 8 children. After grades 1 – 8 at St. Valentine Grade School, Rosemary graduated from La Salle-Peru Township High School in 1946 and finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Illinois State University in 1950. It was at ISU that Rosemary met the love of her life, George Weber from Papineau, IL. Besides studying and attending athletic events, the two shared memorable moments at Lucca Grill and the Pilgrim Restaurant. On March 14, 1952, Rosemary and George married at St. Valentine’s Catholic Church in Peru and were happily married for 62 years. After a Friday wedding, George left to serve his country overseas on the following Wednesday, and Rosemary moved in with her parents. Reunited again after the war, the couple lived first in La Salle, then Varna, Farmer City, and back to La Salle before settling in, probably in 1959, at the corner of 6th and Pulaski Streets in Peru with their young family. Until she turned her undivided attention to motherhood, Rosemary used her many skills as a teacher: 4th Grade at Momence Grade School in Momence, IL, 4th Grade at Washington Grade School in Peru, and 1st Grade at Roosevelt Grade School in Peru. When her 4 children grew older Rosemary not only continued to support her husband’s teaching and coaching career, but she also returned to work outside her home: office worker at the Coca Cola Distribution Plant in Peru, Bergner’s Customer Service Representative, bookkeeper for Urbanowski IGA Groceries in La Salle, and 26 ½ years “part-time” employee at Wal-Mart in Peru. She often shared about how she enjoyed her co-workers. People who knew her can attest to the fact that Rosemary faithfully and very actively served as a member of St. Valentine Catholic Church throughout her life. Among her official capacities at church throughout the years included significant contributions to the Young Ladies Society, Choir, Collection Counting Staff, Family Circle, Finance Committee, and Church Cleaning, Linen, and Altar Teams. As for sports, Rosemary was a strong fan of any sport in which her husband, children, or grandchildren chose to participate. She supported them all and enjoyed going to watch them play. Also, she pulled for the L-P Cavaliers and Notre Dame football whenever ND went up against a team her husband favored. Rosemary had a strong reputation as a loving, intelligent, kind, compassionate, helpful friend and confidant and enjoyed the many relationships she shared with family and many friends of all types. She was proud of her Polish heritage and tried to maintain several connections to it, especially since she was the youngest of her many siblings and most cousins. At all times in her life, she was held in high regard by her family and had a strong influence on them. She enjoyed time with them all in many ways, including fun with 5 grandchildren and 44 nieces and nephews, and their children. Her long-time commitment to her local school PTA reflected her support for her children and education in general. Recently she was very much looking forward to meeting her first great-grandchild. Rosemary is survived by her son Nicholas and Leigh (Swegle) of Rochelle, daughter Ann of Normal (Charlie Thomas of Normal), son John and Lisa (Gedraitis) of Bloomington, and son Richard and Jodi (Foster) of Peru, grandchildren Zachary Weber of Cambridge, MA, Joshua Weber and Emily Metzger of Champaign, Quincie Weber of Peru, Parker Weber of Peru, and Drake Weber of Peru. Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband George (Feb. 2015), daughter-in-law Karen (Wisgoski) (Nicholas) Weber, her sisters Rita (William) Morschauser, Martha (Leonard) Dutkiewicz, and her brothers Vince (Martha) Urbanowski, Ben (Patti) Urbanowski, John (Isabelle) Urbanowski, and Joe (Mary) Urbanowski. Visitation will be Saturday, September 4th at St. Valentine’s Church in Peru from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and afterward, Rosemary’s life will be celebrated with a 1:00 p.m. Mass also at St. Valentine’s Catholic Church. The Rev Gary Blake will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in St Valentine Cemetery. Please remember to be courteous and thoughtful in following all regulations in regards to others’ health concerns as we work together to squelch the current pandemic. Masks will be required in the church. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. As per Rosemary’s suggestion, those wishing to contribute memorial gifts are encouraged to remember St. Valentine’s Catholic Church in Peru. Online condolences and memories may be shared at PtakFH.com