Rosella Jean Bax

Rosella Jean Bax, age 80 of Rich Fountain, passed away Thursday, September 13, 2012, at her home following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Rosella was born May 5, 1932, in St. Louis, the daughter of the late Robert and Clara (Tillman) Cassmeyer. She grew up on a farm at St. Thomas and then the family moved to a farm near Freeburg.

Rosella attended grade school and graduated from high school in Freeburg. She worked at St. Mary's Hospital as a nurse's aide after graduating high school.

On August 3, 1950, Rosella was united in marriage to Robert G. Bax in Freeburg. He survives at home.

After her children were older, Rosella returned to school and earned a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked for several years in the healthcare field. Later in her life, she worked for many years as the school secretary at the Sacred Heart School in Rich Fountain. Throughout her life, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Rosella was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Rich Fountain. She believed strongly in the power of prayer and the presence of God in her life. Rosella was an avid reader as well as a dedicated St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. She also enjoyed embroidering, making many quilts and blankets for her family. She prepared countless meals for her family, including her unbeatable sweet rolls, oatmeal cookies and vanilla cream pies. Her greatest enjoyment in life was raising her children and sharing in their many activities and those of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She seldom missed a sporting event or other activity in which her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated.

In addition to her husband, Rosella is survived by: eight children: Kathy and her husband Bruce Stuckenschneider of Westphalia, Bob Jr. and his wife Joy of St. Martins, Bill and his wife Karen, Rick and his wife Janet, Margaret (Peggy) and her husband Rick Brune, Jean and her husband Bob Fick, Tom and his wife Karen, all of Rich Fountain, and Sharon Bax of Colorado; one brother, Jim Cassmeyer and his wife Margaret of Taos; one sister, Mary Ellen Olive of Jefferson City; one sister-in-law, Joanie Cassmeyer of Taos; 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, with the 16th great-grandchild due in October.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: one brother, Robert Cassmeyer and a brother-in-law, Bill Olive.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rich Fountain with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 17, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rich Fountain. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery.

Rosella requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sacred Heart School in Rich Fountain.