Obituary of Rosemary Duwel

Rosemary Duwel (nee Harding) passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2019, at Avalon Square in Waukesha, WI, two days shy of her 95^th birthday. Born in Pharaoh, Oklahoma, Rosemary moved to Waukesha with her parents and other relatives at the age of 5. Rosemary married Raymond Duwel in 1947 and was a full-time mom to Nancy and Jim. Once her children were older, she worked as a secretary at the Presbyterian Synod office in Waukesha and later for the Waukesha Country Park & Planning office. She was as active in retirement as in her working years, volunteering at the Caring Place, Blair Elementary School and the Waukesha County Courthouse, providing rides to retired friends, helping care for grandchildren, playing cards and attending every local music performance that she could! She regularly attended the Waukesha Park Band, Waukesha Symphony concerts and Friday Night Live. She passed on her love of all types of music to her children, especially her son Jim. Rosemary enjoyed visits with her extensive network of friends, relatives and former co-workers. She was the queen of networking, long before it became fashionable. 

Treasured mom of Jim (Diane) and son-in-law Norm Kirby; special grandmother of Kelly and Brian Duwel; also survived by six step-grandchildren. Rosemary is preceded in death by her loving husband Raymond, daughter Nancy Kirby and her parents.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 9AM until the start of services at 11AM at Cesarz Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N Moreland Blvd Waukesha, WI 53188. In lieu of flowers, donations to Presbyterian Homes & Services Foundation (Preshomes.org) are appreciated. The family is forever grateful to Rosemary’s friend and caregiver, Helene Green, who supported her activities as her health became more fragile and the compassionate caregivers in the Arbor at Avalon Square and Grace Hospice.