- Date Of Birth: April 23, 1923
- Date Of Death: January 31, 2010
- State: Illinois
Rose Katherine (Polillo) Wiechert, 86, of Galesburg, died at 6:25 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at OSF St. Mary’s Medical Center, Galesburg.
Rose was born on April 23, 1923 in Galesburg, the daughter of Carl N. and Vivian C. Infusina Polillo.
Surviving Rose are her children, sons, Dr. Ronald (and Susan) Wiechert of Iowa City, IA and Dr. Mark (and Penny) Wiechert of Galesburg; her daughters, Geralyn (and David Wood, J.D.) Wiechert of Springfield and Laurie (and David Sharar, PhD) Wiechert of Bloomington.
Also surviving Rose are her brothers, George Polillo of Vail, AZ and John Polillo of Galesburg; and a sister Marie Lavender of Galesburg; and her grandchildren, Melissa and Megan Wiechert, and Katherine and Sarah Wood. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, William and Peter Polillo, and a sister, Lucille Campisi.
Work was an important part of Rose’s life. She first worked at Burlington Northern Railroad and WT Grant Co. She then worked for many years in the business office at the Galesburg Mental Health Center. After retirement she worked at K-Mart, and last worked at Bergners. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and also the Third Order of the Lay Carmelites.
Rose had many wonderful attributes such as honesty, humility, and great patience. She could outwork anyone and she loved it. She loved to accomplish things and loved to challenge herself. She tried to instill that in her family. As a mother and grandmother, she expected the best effort, while still being warm and caring, and a fierce protector. She was tiny, but around her you always felt safe. Through her great wisdom, she always knew just the right encouraging word to say to help lift you out of difficult times and was always there to celebrate in happy times. Everything was felt more deeply when shared with Rose. She treasured her many, many friends and her neighbors.
Rose truly lived a life of treating others as she wished to be treated.Rose was a talented seamstress and often helped others by sewing for them. Her most passionate hobby was her yard work. She would come home after a day’s work and be eager to get out and mow the yard and tend to precious flowers. She did all the finishing work in the homes she had built over the years.
She was a perfectionist in all she accomplished. In her last months, Rose faced her most difficult challenges without complaints or self-pity. As always, she simply continued to do her best, to try to make the most of the situation. Through the end, she continued to teach her grown children and her grandchildren by her example. Supported and guided by her great faith, Rose remained strong.
Rose’s children and grandchildren will deeply miss her as they miss their father and grandfather, Fred Wiechert, Jr.
