Rosella M. Eilert, 97, Beloit
Rosella Mary (Konzem) Eilert
BELOIT - Rosella Mary (Konzem) Eilert was born on January 10, 1926, at the Konzem farm home located five miles east and two miles north of Tipton, KS. She was the eleventh of twelve children bom to Frank and Anna (Amoldy) Konzem. She departed this life on April 28, 2023, at the age of 97.
Rosella, known by many as Rosie, attended school through the eighth grade at Lone Hill Grade school. She then attended Tipton High School where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class in 1943 and had a scholarship to attend Marymount College. Only a small percentage of high school graduates attended college back then, and instead, she took a job at the War Price and Rationing Board of Beloit. Rosie was working at the Rationing Board when Paul Eilert came in to get the five gallons of gas that all servicemen received when they came home on leave, She knew who Paul was and she made it a point to wait on him that day.
They corresponded by writing letters until Paul was discharged on October 11, 1945, Rosella and Paul saw each other every day until they were married on November 6, 1945, Rosella and Paul were blessed with a large family of eleven children, Rosella was a full-time mother and farming partner and was no stranger to hard work. During the early years of her married life, she and Paul and the children lived at several different farmsteads that had no running water, Thus, she had to carry water for cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Along with caring for and preparing 3 meals a day for 11 children, which was no small feat, Rosella put out a garden each summer, canned produce, raised chickens, assisted with milking cows, and sewed most of the clothing for her children. Rosella instilled her work ethic and her dedication to serving others in each of her children.
Education was very important to Rosella and she expected her children to work as hard at school as they did on the farm. The older Eilert children attended school at Walnut Grove and Laban country schools until those schools closed. Then, all of the kids were sent to St.
John’s schools in Beloit.
Rosella was always ready and willing to help out at school any way she could. From the time her oldest entered school in 1953, until the youngest graduated in 1987, whenever there was work to be done, you could count on Rosie being there to help.
The three most important things to Rosella were her family, her church, and her country. She was an active member of St. John’s Ladies Guild, serving as banquet committee chairperson for many years. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary fulfilling the duties of President, Secretary, and Treasurer over the years.
Rosella took care of Paul when his health declined, allowing him to fulfill his wish to die at home. She then made it her mission to care for others. For many years, she made frequent visits to the Hilltop Lodge and to Long Term Care, brightening the days of many friends and relatives. Rosella liked to keep busy and enjoyed eating lunch with friends at the Beloit Senior Center, exercising at the NCK Wellness Center, and volunteering at the Economy Shop and hospital gift shop. When she was at home, you could find her working crossword puzzles. In February, 2016, daughter Dee moved back to Beloit to become Rosella’s caregiver, serving as her driver, housekeeper, and “Scrabble” opponent, which allowed Rosella to continue to live in her home and enjoy life to the fullest. In July, 2021, she moved to the Resident Care Center, thoroughly enjoying the fellowship she shared with residents and staff.
Rosella was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, her husband Paul with whom she shared 49 years before his death in 1995, her oldest son David in 2011, her grandchildren Amber Stroede, Dillon Stroede, and Caleb Eilert, and her greatgrandchild Ally Rae Eilert.
She is survived by her children: Carol and Norman Feingold, Tucson AZ; Dee Eilert, Tucson, AZ; Pauline Casey and Carol Martin, Denver CO; Richard and Louise Eilert, Duluth MN, Dan and Tammy Eilert, Wichita KS; Norman and Linda Eilert, Salina KS; Allen and Tammy Eilert, Beloit KS, Deanne and Alan Winkel, Glen Elder KS, Scott and Janine Eilert, Wichita KS; and Lisa and Ed Long, Beloit KS; along with her daughter-inlaw Patricia Eilert, Branson MO; 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Rosella will be dearly missed by everyone.
Funeral services will be at 10 AM Thursday, May 4 at the temporary location for St.
John’s Catholic Church (former Dollar General building), A rosary service will be held at 7 PM and visitation will be from 1 PM until the rosary service begins on Wednesday, all at the Roberts Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Resident Care Center, Beloit Senior Center, or St, John’s Memorial Trust Fund, Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com