Rosemary Etzel

Rosemary Agnes Etzel, 95, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Brewster Place in Topeka. The daughter of Joseph and Ruth Bacon Miller, she was born on November 28, 1927, in Washington D.C. and grew up just blocks away from the nation’s capital. She attended St. Martin’s School, Langley Junior High, and McKinley High School, all in Washington D.C. Rosemary worked for Universal Film Company and later as an operator for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company. She married Dan Etzel on November 26, 1949, who preceded her in death on June 16, 2008. When Rosemary and Dan wanted to start a family, they decided to move to Topeka and lived on the farm in Oakland with Dan’s parents for a few months. There, the city girl, as Rosemary liked to call herself, learned all about farm life and a few German recipes from Dan’s mom while working at Army Headquarters. Once they started their family, Rosemary became a homemaker and involved herself in loving and raising their five children. Rosemary was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and volunteered her time in many capacities there as a member of the Altar Society and Immaculate Conception Guild as well as serving as a room mother, PTO member and on the school board. She was also a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader for several years. Throughout those years, Rosemary also found time to bowl in the Wednesday morning league and to sew special outfits and crochet and knit hats and purses for her children, along with various other craft projects. Rosemary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and her love, laughter and sense of humor will be dearly missed. Rosemary is survived by her children, Diane Etzel-Wise (Pat Wise), Lenexa, Cindy Swoboda (Tegan), Topeka, Dan Etzel (Sarah), Topeka, Linda Hoopes (Brad), Lawrence, and Lisa Hecker, (Paul), Berryton; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael, her parents, siblings, Marie Roy, Dorothy Tull, Joseph Miller, Bernard Miller, Francis Miller and William Miller. Family will greet friends 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, November 10, 2023, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka KS 66605. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page for those unable to attend in person. We invite you to wear lavender, purple or any other bright color in honor of Rosemary. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Matthew Food Pantry sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Rosemary Etzel

November 28, 1927 - November 1, 2023