Rosemary R. Bode (nee: Ratkowski), 88, passed away on Friday at the Woods of Caledonia. Rosemary was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on June 2, 1929, and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Julia (Nee: Luga) Ratkowski. On November 13, 1960 she was united in marriage to Allen G. Bode who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (Charles) Grupp.
Rosemary was a graduate of Loretto Academy in Chicago, Illinois and was a bookkeeper for National Gypsum Company and Scrementi’s Restaurant for many years. Rosemary was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church and former member and organist for twenty years at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Intelligent, opinionated, clever, creative, determined and witty, Rosemary was uhh… “memorable”. An avid card player, NASCAR fan, and cat lover – more than anything else, she cherished time spent with her grandsons.
She will be dearly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Loren Bode Sr. (Theresie) and grandsons, Thomas Loren Jr. “Tommy”, Theodore Allen “Teddy”, and Larry the Conservative Dog; close relatives and dear friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. Rosemary will be laid to rest alongside Allen at Arlington National Cemetery.
Rosemary’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the caregivers at the Woods of Caledonia and Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care.