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Obituary for Rosemary M. Draeger
Rosemary M. Draeger, 96, Oconto, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Care Partner CBRF, Oconto. Rosemary was born in Oconto, Wisconsin, September 10, 1921 to Oliver and Mary Louise Carriveau. She attended the rural McDowell School, west of Oconto. After school, she moved to Chicago where she lived with her sister Marcella and her husband Frank Connors. She moved to Green Bay at age 17, and worked at Dianna Manufacturing Company until 1955, when she married.
She relocated to Oconto in 1955, after marrying Melvin “Chopper” Draeger and worked at Elliot Glove Factory and Kriewaldt Glove Factory until her retirement in 1974.
Rosemary kept herself active with handicrafts, sewing, knitting, ceramics, and jewelry. Her friends and family will especially remember her love for the Christmas holiday. Her many cookies and candies brought joy to both young and old. The annual display of more than 100 hand-painted houses in her Christmas village drew many admirers and left a legacy that she has passed on to her family and beyond. She was also well known for her canning, especially the jellies, jams, maple syrup and honey.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin “Chopper”, her parents, Oliver and Mary Louise Carriveau, her son, Sigurd Charles Fornell, sisters, Marcella Connor, Mable Carriveau, Dorothy Urbanek, Antonette Sherfius, brothers Oliver, Walter, Alsid, Peter & Wilfred Carriveau. She is survived by four children: Carolyn (Don) Walsh of Green Bay, Mary Lade of Oconto, Jim (Cindy) Draeger of Monona, WI and Susan (Curt) Coker of Cleveland, OH, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Care Partners of Oconto for the wonderful care provided to Rosemary. A special thank you to Unity Hospice, especially Julie for her many years of care, and all caregivers who have provided care for the past several years. To many, Rosemary will be remembered for her huge smile & wink.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto, from 10 AM to 12 Noon Saturday, September 23, 2017. Funeral services will be conducted 12 Noon Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Craig Alwin officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.
