Rose Marie (Wipperfurth) Kawell, 93, formerly of Northbrook, IL and Phoenix, AZ, passed away on September 23, 2023, surrounded by her loving family in Park Ridge, IL. Rose Marie was born July 5, 1930, in Tomahawk, WI, to William and Ella Bishop.  She was raised in the Chicago area by Joseph and Anne Wipperfurth and attended Mallinckrodt High School in Wilmette.  

For 57 years, Rose Marie was a loving and devoted wife to the late Leonard M. Kawell, Sr. She raised their six children, JoAnn (Howard Mandel), Len Jr. (Mary Ellen Heinen), Steve (Sally Brown), Carol, Mary Meskan (Don) and Greg (Becky) with an abundance of love and dedication, a steady hand, and a subtle sense of humor. Rose Marie is survived by all six children, as well as ten grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and nature lover and ran countless family excursions and camping trips. No matter where travels took her, she always found a Catholic church to attend Sunday mass.   After retiring as a bookkeeper for Walgreens Corporation, Rose Marie enjoyed visiting family and friends across the country while traveling between homes in Goodyear, AZ and Minong, WI. Although she battled Alzheimer’s Disease in her last decade, her sweet, compassionate and caring nature remained apparent to the end.

A Memorial Mass and celebration of her life will be held October 18 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 320 Washington Avenue in Park Ridge, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Rose Marie's name to the Alzheimer's Association, alz.org <https://www.alz.org/>