Rosa Sturm Schwertner

Rosa “Rosie” Alice Schwertner, 92, of Rowena, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.

Rosie was born on December 17, 1928, to Paul Gus and Josephine (Pelzel) Sturm on their family farm in Rowena, Texas.  On September 3, 1947, she married the love of her life, Andrew F. Schwertner, at St. Joseph Catholic Church also in Rowena.  While she was known as one of the best waitresses at Lowake Steak House for over 30 years, she was better known as Andrew’s right hand.  She dedicated her life to being the best wife, mother, and grandmother through her service as a housewife.  Rosie could be seen helping on the farm, working in her garden, and raising her guineas.  She was Andrew’s “Go-Getter” and would go get anything he needed, the two were inseparable, and shared over 74 beautiful years together.  They enjoyed driving around the countryside together in their later years and liked visiting places that held a special place in their hearts.

She is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Josephine Sturm, her sisters, Josephine Schwertner, Elizabeth Sturm, Tillie Piel, Louise Schwertner, Mary Angelina Sturm, Helen Matthiesen, Florine Kellermeier, Julia Rohmfeld, Emma Kruppa, and Frieda Janca.  Rosie is also preceded in death by her brothers Richard, Fred, Louis, and Henry Sturm, as well as her son-in-law Joe Hodge, Jr.

Rosie is survived by her loving husband Andrew, her son Andy Schwertner and wife Dolores, as well as her daughters Janet Hodge, Rita Moeller and husband David.  She is also survived by her sisters Patsy Rohmfeld, Dorine Matthiesen, and Lorene Cmerek, and her sister-in-law Rosalie Sturm.  She will be greatly missed as well by her 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A rosary will be held for Rosie on Monday, August 9th at 1:30 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena, Texas.  Her mass will follow immediately after with Father Ariel Lagunilla celebrating.  Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winter’s Volunteer Fire Department in Rosie’s honor or to a charity of choice.

The family wishes to thank Winters Volunteer Fire Department, Shannon AirMed, and the staff of Shannon ER and ICU for their loving and compassionate care of Rosie.

I Made It Home

I just wanted to let you know I

made it home.

Everything is so pretty here, so

white, so fresh, so new.  I wish

that you could close your eyes

so you could see it too.

Please try not to be sad for me.

Try to understand.  God is taking

care of me…I’m in the shelter of

His hands.

Here there is no sadness, and no

sorrow, and no pain.  Here there

is no crying, and I’ll never hurt

again.

Here it is so peaceful when all

the angels sing.  I really have to

go now…I’ve just got to try my wings.

PS…I’ll be the first face you see

when you get here!