Rosemary Marie Smith-Schoen

Telegraph Herald: Web Edition Articles (Dubuque, IA) - Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Rosemary Marie Smith-Schoen, 86, of Dubuque, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at Bethany Home. Friends may greet the family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home, 3860 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a service at 7 p.m. Interment will be private at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West. Every life to God is significant and He has an important plan for every person He creates. Such as it was with Rosemary Marie Elgin, a babe born into this world on a cold & snowy Dubuque, IA, day. January 11, 1931, to be exact. So unique was she that, though her quiet little life started almost unnoticed, it quickly gained momentum and blossomed like a rose to full bloom. Beautiful. Born into the era of the Great Depression, Rosemary would help her dad Charles deliver milk on his dairy route. They loved each other deeply and his pet nickname for her was "Butch". The small family of 4 soon moved for a time to sunny California in hopes of a better life and after a few years returned home to Dubuque to build the Siesta Hotel on Hwy 20. As a young girl "Rosi" enjoyed ice skating at Comisky Park. In high school, she met and married a dashing, confident young man by the name of Richard J. Smith (Dick). They had 3 boys ( Richard Jr., Ross, Rod) and a daughter (Regan). Richard Sr. soon began what would be a 30-year career with Met Life, and Rosemary was a stay-at-home mom. They loved to dance to big bands at Melody Mill Ballroom and had won several contest trophies. Rosi's free spirit, style and panache would simply bring an energy and life into every situation she engaged in. She became an antique hobbyist who later turned her small network of friends and followers into a part-time business. She later married Dulane Schoen and they opened Schoen's Antiques on 1st & Locust streets in Dubuque. Rosi's style and determination developed the fledgling storefront into a notable local, regional and national antique dealer. She even captured the attention of the National Observer Magazine, where their store was featured on the cover. Schoen's Antiques endured for more than 25 years until they retired. A bright, forward-thinking, idea machine of a woman, Rosi was highly sought after within the Dubuque community where she stayed actively involved for years. She was a pioneer & instrumental in the DBQ Historical Society, Ham House Museum, DBQ Trolley and the Ice Harbour just to name a few. In full bloom, Rosi became a voice for the unborn children of Dubuque, aiding Dubuque County Right to Life. She designed, fundraised and posted billboards around DBQ to educate women in hopes of saving the unborn from abortion. She also participated in organizing rallies and other public awareness programs to give voice to those who didn't have one. She also developed, funded, managed and hosted a Christian program on local-access TV that covered many important topics of concern to people of faith for more than 2 years. She also loved her pet poodles and soon became a champion for better animal treatment & adoption. Through her tireless efforts, she became the catalyst of change to improve the treatment of the animals, which ultimately helped the Dubuque Humane Society transform its model of business and location as we know it today. Rosemary Smith-Schoen was a vibrant, colorful, firebrand of a woman who loved BIG, put her finances and efforts where her heart was, and made a significant difference in this life for so, so many. She loved Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord and by His promise to those who love Him, she is now in the presence of The Almighty.Rosemary had 4 children, Richard, Ross, Rod (Kathleen), and Regan (Kim) Smith-Steffen; 10 grandchildren; Molly Rose, Gabriel, Paul, Regina, Steven, Ryan, Kali Lynn, Javan, Kidron, Micaiah & 14 great-grandchildren; Gabriel, Asher, Isaiah, Noah, Seth, Levi, Naomi, Natalie, Drew, Teegan, Faith, Eviana, Liviya, and Bella.