Anne Rose (Vecera) Kowalis

Anne Rose Kowalis, age 94, of Fairmont City, IL, died Tuesday evening, July 10, 2018, surrounded by family in her home.

Anne was born on December 14, 1923 and married the love of her life, John Joseph “Bosco” Kowalis Sr. on March 4, 1946. They were happily married for 48 years before John passed away and they lived their lives together in Fairmont City.  The pair lived to help and feed their community and were greatly involved in the American Legion and their lifelong parish Holy Rosary Church. Anne cooked and volunteered for the annual Holy Rosary picnic for many years of her long wonderful life. Anne was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Holy Rosary Ladies Sodality and the American Legion Post 961 Auxiliary. 

Anne worked in accounts receivable for SEARS for 42 years but her true passion was working full time for her family as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Everyone that loved her knew her simply as “Aunt Annie” or “Grandma” and she held that title proudly.

Besides cooking and caring for her family and her black lab rescue, Jake, Anne’s other passions included education and being an avid sports fan. She, no matter what, wanted to make sure her children had an education and both children graduated and became successful in Anne’s favorite subject, math. She was able to attend all her grandchildren’s high school graduations and attended a few college graduations as well. Even into her 90s, Anne loved attending St. Louis Cardinals games, where she kept track of the game on a scorecard. Her love for sports did not stop there. Anne loved the St. Louis Blues and nothing brought her greater joy then watching her children and grandchildren play sports.

Anne was a woman of great faith and God allowed her family to spend many long and amazing years with her. She will be greatly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by husband, John J. Bosco” Kowalis; her parents, Joseph and Rose, nee, Stuchlik, Vecera; her siblings, Mary (John) Castelli, Frank (Mary) Vecera, Joe (Liz) Vecera and Tony (Juanita) Vecera; and her special niece, Rosemary Hopwood, nee Castelli.

Surviving are her children; daughter, Annemarie Kowalis Garcia (son-in-law, David Garcia) and son, John Joseph Kowalis Jr. (daughter-in-law, Cheryl Belgeri Kowalis); special nieces and nephew, who she raised as her own after her sister Mary passed in 1950, Catherine “Toots”, John and Rosemary Castelli; grandmother of Jason Palmero (Laura Stevenson Palmero), Chris Garcia, John Joseph Kowalis III, Justin Hatcher, Jessica Rose Kowalis McKenna (Travis McKenna), Justin Kowalis and Joshua Kowalis; great grandmother of Jason Palmero and Eleanor Palmero.  Anne also is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Fairmont City, IL.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.kasslyfuneral.com.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Fairmont City, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Fairmont City, IL with Fr. James Buerster officiating.  Interment will be held in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

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