Rose Mary (Bohnert) Ruesler

Rose Mary Bohnert Ruesler, 87, of Jackson, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Friendship Village in St. Louis.

She was born April 6, 1935, in Perry County, Missouri, to Sylvester A. and Albertine T. Wibbenmeyer Bohnert.

Rose Mary was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek.  She was a graduate of Perryville High School.

Rose Mary was confirmed into the Lutheran faith after her marriage to Harold Ruesler, on October 20, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim.  She and Harold had been members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson for over 50 years, where Rose Mary was active in the Ladies Guild.  She and Harold had been married for 62 years when he passed away August 16, 2018.

While raising her children, Rose Mary was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader in Jackson.  She was employed as an insurance processor at Internal Medicine in Cape Girardeau.  In the 1980’s, she established Busy Bee Candles, and became well recognized for making intricate candles, especially wedding candles.  She participated in many craft shows in Cape Girardeau and Perry County and was a member of the International Guild of Candle Artisans.  Rose Mary enjoyed crocheting, and was also an accomplished seamstress, making many dresses for her daughters.

Loving survivors include three children, Keith (Marie) Ruesler of Jackson, Kim (Eric) Weir of Fenton, Missouri, and Kendra Ruesler of St. Louis; six grandchildren, Annette (Mike) Engelen, Leah (Brad) Lappe, Natalie and Zackary Ruesler, Brittney (Mike) Wolff, Brandon (Jamie) Weir; eight great-grandchildren, Kelby, Cora, Trustin, Kamden, Ella, Angelo, Lucille “Lucy”, Theodore “Theo”; a brother, Michael (Judy) Bohnert of Perryville, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

Visitation is from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, January 1, 2023, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral is at 11 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2023, at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Gruenwald officiating.  Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Ladies Guild (Jackson), St. Joseph Cemetery Fund (Apple Creek), or Peace Lutheran Music Ministry (St. Louis).

Online condolences may be shared with the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above this article.