Rosemarie McKee

Rosemarie was born on June 23, 1941, in Konz, Germany, the daughter of Peter and Anna Marie (Olk) Thoemmes. She married James McKee on August 4, 1961, in Konz, Germany.

Rosemarie was a graduate of Realschule High School, class of 1955, and later attended business school. She was caring, generous, and honest, and family was always at the center of her life. Raising her daughters was one of her life’s greatest accomplishments.

She was actively involved in the P.O.L.K. of A and the PTA, and especially enjoyed being present for her daughters as a room mother, Girl Scouts volunteer, and later a devoted babysitter to her grandchildren. Before her marriage to James, she worked in a shoe store and spent time picking grapes in a vineyard. She eventually retired from Neutronics Manufacturing Company. In her free time, Rosemarie enjoyed dancing, gardening, sewing, crocheting, and knitting.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Karl Thoemmes.

Rosemarie is survived by her husband, James; four daughters, Tammy McKee of Springfield, Chris Flynn of Springfield, Shelly (Craig) Power of Loami, and Heidi (Scott) O’Connor of Springfield; five grandchildren, Blake (Mallory Dougherty) O’Connor, Kaleb Craig, Luke (fiancé, Courtney Herndon) Smith, Kelsey (Carson) Leonard, Tim Flynn; one great-grandchild, Myles O’Connor; two step great-grandchildren, Kat Walbert and Gabe Williams; two sisters, Marianne Wunderlich of Menningen, Germany and Christel Schmidt of Trier, Germany; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Camp Butler National Cemetery, 5063 Camp Butler Rd., Springfield, IL 62707, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Guests are asked to arrive by 12:15 pm at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield for procession to the cemetery, or they can meet the family at the cemetery by 12:55 pm.

There will be a luncheon at 2:00 pm, immediately following graveside services at the American Legion Post 32, 1120 Sangamon Ave., Springfield, IL 62702.

Memorial contributions may be made to Make a Wish Foundation of Springfield and Alzheimer’s Association.