Rosemary Bownik

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thaddeus (Ted), and her 10 brothers and sisters. “Woe”, as she was known by her family, would have been 100 years old Sept. 21st of this year.

Woe is survived by her son Bryan, daughter-in-law, LuAnn, grandchildren, Hillary and Haley, son-in-law, AJ Jakoi, and great granddaughter, Kennedy.

As a private person, she always preferred the limelight to shine on her husband of 65 years. However, Woe showed all around her how to work hard, think independently, hold on to beliefs fiercely, and have loyalty to family and friends. Woe’s parents passed at young ages so, despite working as chief seamstress for Musingwear, she also assumed the role of homemaker and cook for her 10 siblings.

After Ted returned from WWII, he and Woe married and had their son, Bryan. She put her hopes of continuing education aside in order to nurse and mother Bryan, who contracted rheumatic fever at an early age while at the same time providing a home base for extended family after the war. A brilliant woman, she helped guide her son through medical school, and he credits her for teaching him the attributes needed to be a good physician. However, it was Woe who was infinitely proud of his degree and future achievements as a doctor in Kansas City.

Woe adored her two granddaughters as she and Tadge considered the time spent with them the most precious and fun moments of their lives. Woe will be loved, remembered, and greatly missed by those who knew her.