Obituary: Rosella Antonia (Kabat) Nies

Rosella Antonia (Kabat) Nies (G Rose, GG Rose) De Pere, WI died Saturday, May 25, 2024. Rosella was born on December 28, 1927 to the late Frank and Caroline (Tikalsky) Kabat in the town of East Wrightstown (Greenleaf). Rosella was the youngest of nine children and grew up in the family cheese factory (Kabat’s Cheese) on the corner of highways 96 and PP. She and her siblings helped operate the cheese factory with their father as their mother passed away when Rosella was 12 years old.

On May 4, 1948, Rosella married Joseph F. Nies at St. Mary Church in East Wrightstown. Rosella and Joe lived in the Greenleaf area the majority of their married life, moving to De Pere in 1987. Mom and Dad enjoyed many years at their cottage on Perch Lake in Pearson, WI, where they hosted many gatherings with family and friends.

Mom was a devout Catholic. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier of De Pere and prior to that St. Mary Greenleaf. Mom played organ at St. Mary and sang in the St. Francis Xavier choir for many years. Mom attended daily Mass and frequented Notre Dame of De Pere school Masses and events, where many of her grandchildren attended school.  Mom led the weekly rosary and was a part of the funeral choir and member of the Altar Rosary Society.

Mom enjoyed her sports too. She looked forward to getting “numbers” for Packer games after Sunday Mass from her nephew Terry Kabat. She attended her grandchildren’s athletic events, even seeing her youngest grandson play basketball against St. Norbert College.

Mom never missed a grandchild’s or great-grandchild’s birthday party, baptism, or First Communion. She even attended her granddaughter’s wedding in September of 2021.

Above all, mom loved games. She was always ready for a game of Cribbage, Sheepshead, Euchre or Dominoes. She continued to play Sorry and Yahtzee with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as long as she could.

Rosella is survived by three children, two in-laws: daughter Jane (Alan) Symbal Negaunee, MI, son Steve (Janet) Nies, De Pere, son Tim (Karen) Nies, De Pere, daughter-in-law Judy (Jim) Eichhorst, Brillion, daughter-in-law June Nies, De Pere. She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren: Lisa White, Eric (Mandy) Nies, and Heather (Jesse) Dvoracek, Joel (Marilyn), Joshua (Liz), Jacob, Jonathan (Bethany), and Jenny (Jacob) Linssen, Matt (Kendra) Symbal and Andrea Symbal, Nicole (Steve) Querio, Angela (Brad) Sundstrom, Justin (Josef), and Ashley (Nick Kugle), Brian (significant other Anissa), Elizabeth, and Bradley. She is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Ellen (Nies) Farrell and many nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and friends.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe, sons Lawrence and James, grandson Jeremiah Nies, her eight siblings; infant Charles Kabat, Frank (Leona) Foytik, Ellsworth (Ludmilla) De Cleene, Walter (Cecelia) Krautkramer, Reverend Cyril Kabat, Landelin and (Ruth) Kabat, Stanley and (Florence) Kabat, Bernadine (Jerry) Nies. Also, preceding mom in death were in-laws William (Lucy) Nies, Robert (Dorothy) Nies, Glen Farrell, Bernard Nies, Marie (Clarence) Diny, and Margaret Ellen Nies (at age 3).

Family and friends are invited to visit at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan Street, De Pere. On June 4, 2024, from 9:00 -10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00am with the Rev. Mike Ingold officiating and Deacon Ken Kabat assisting. Private inurnment will take place at a later date in St. Mary Cemetery, Greenleaf. Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.cotterfuneralhome.com