Rose Anne Soliday

Rose Anne Soliday passed away peacefully on July 2, 2020. She was born in Kewanee, IL on June 23, 1929, the fourth of five children to Andrew Maurice Brady and Mayme Georganna (Le Blanc) Brady. Rose passionately believed in the importance of family, a quality instilled in her by her parents whom she deeply loved and admired.

Rose married R. Wayne Soliday on March 22, 1952 until his passing in 2007. Rose and Wayne had four daughters to whom she dedicated her life. She continually told people how lucky and extremely proud she was to have them.

Rose was a devout Catholic and trusted in God to always be there for her. She regularly attended church and said the rosary for her loved ones every night.

Rose was accomplished in her professional life, being adept at bookkeeping and secretarial skills in various jobs prior to their move to Prophetstown, IL. From there, she utilized those skills working for the family business, Soliday Farm Equipment until its closure. Afterwards, Rose and Wayne moved to Machesney Park, IL, where she worked for the law library in the Winnebago County Courthouse for seventeen years, until her retirement at 73 years old.

Rose was a very kind and generous person who would do anything for the people she loved. She spent every day with a smile on her face and would compliment people at random. Even while being treated in the emergency room, she was telling the doctor she loved his hair. She was remarkably generous, baking pies, cinnamon rolls, or her famous chocolate mint cookies for people who helped her out in one way or another. She would give them to her daughters to bring to their jobs because she loved making people happy.

Rose had many skills and hobbies. She was an excellent seamstress, lovingly sewing clothing for her children and grandchildren. She made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for her grandchildren and her sister simply because she loved making them one. Other hobbies included bowling, golfing, dancing, reading, playing the piano, watching the Cubs play (commenting on Kris Bryant’s eyes, stating “How could anyone look so good"), listening to music (especially the Beatles and Michael Buble), and playing games with the family (Scrabble, Farkle, Yahtzee, and of course, a high-stakes $.05 per point game of Rummy). When she won a hand in Rummy, she simply folded her hands on the table in front of her and shrugged her shoulders as if to say “That’s just how I roll.”

Rose touched many lives with her big heart, positive attitude, and her huge, genuine smile. Her sense of humor and ability to make people smile will be greatly missed. She leaves behind a legacy that is priceless to all of those who were blessed to have known her!

Rose leaves behind her daughters Terri Soliday, Debra Desmoulin, Vicki Miner, and Joan (David) Siekierski; 7 grandchildren Stéphan Desmoulin, Natalie Miner and fiancé Matt Shold, Aron Miner and special friend Alyssa Morgan, Alizée Desmoulin, Emily (Ricky) Welch, Kelly (Craig) Rees, and Eric Siekierski; 2 great grandchildren Aeris Rees and Wyatt Welch; brother Patrick Brady and fiancé Marge Kopriva, sister-in-law Dorene Brady, lifelong friend JoAnne Utley and extended family and friends. Rose was predeceased by her husband R. Wayne Soliday; parents Andrew and Mayme Brady; sister Theresa (Pete) Dragolovich; brothers Andrew Brady Jr. and Bernard Brady; son-in-law Francis Desmoulin; sister-in-law Shirley Brady; nieces Sharon Borota and Cheryl Bainbridge; nephew Bill Brady; and great-nephew John Borota.

A funeral service will be held at Sunset Funeral Home at 8800 N. Alpine Rd., Machesney Park, IL on Saturday July 11, 2020 at 1:30 pm with Msgr Steve Knox of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church officiating with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

A walk-through visitation will be from 12:30 pm at the funeral home until the time of service.

In honor of Rose, we invite everyone to wear blue, her favorite color.

All guests are required to wear masks.

Funeral service will also be live-streamed via Facebook at Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens of Machesney Park, IL: https://www.facebook.com/SunsetFuneralHomeIL/