Rosa Kraemer Farrow

Rosa Kraemer Farrow, 93, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. In keeping with how she led her life, her parting words to her family were, "I love you, and I always will."

Born at her family home in Oriole, Missouri, Oct. 31, 1928, to Omer Lee and Louise Kinnard Abernathy, Rosa was the second of six children. Being one of the oldest, she often shared fond memories of walking three miles to school in Oriole with lots of younger kids she gathered on her way.

At the age of 14, Rosa worked as a babysitter. At 16, she stood in line for two weeks and landed a job at Florsheim Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau. She was employed in the hand sewing department and worked in other departments as needed. Her career spanned 50 years -- 40 years for Florsheim and 10 years for Cape Shoes, retiring in 1994.

During World War II, Rosa was a pen-pal with her future husband, Wilferd "Shorty" Kraemer. Married in 1948 in Jackson, Rosa and Shorty raised three children in a home that the family lived in for over 50 years.

When her children were young, she served as a 4-H leader in Jackson. Rosa had a knack for flower and vegetable gardening and owned some rental property. She would never let anyone go hungry and often made sure that less fortunate families had a roof over their head and a full stomach.

Rosa and Wilferd loved to dance and regularly went to all the local dance halls. Back in the day, they always started at Dutchtown because it was known for having the best food. Rosa and Shorty had been married for 23 years, when he passed away June 27, 1971.

Rosa later married Wesley Farrow Sr. They enjoyed dancing too, at Stroder Country and the Little Ole' Opry. Wesley preceded her in death.

Rosa had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. She was known for being a prankster and could lie with the best of 'em. She had a huge heart and absolutely loved animals.

Loving survivors include two children, Patsy Crawford of Marion, Illinois, and Greg (Kathy) Kraemer of Cape Girardeau; and three grandchildren, David Crawford (fiancee, Valerie Murphy) of Du Quoin, Illinois; Myra (Jesse) Reed and their sons, Mason, Dawson and Jenson of Vienna, Illinois; Keyla (Jarrett) Seibel and their sons, Ralph and Everrett of Jber, Alaska. Also surviving is Mandy (Justin) Johnson, who was Rosa's best friend and loyal caregiver the past several years.

Rosa was preceded in death by her first husband, Wilferd "Shorty" Kraemer; a son, Bruce Kraemer; her second husband, Wesley Farrow Sr.; five siblings, Jeroam Abernathy, Jennie Rastl, Dorothy Singleton, Leola Richardson and Gilbert Abernathy; and her parents.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to service time Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. Janet Hopkins will conduct the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Southeast Missouri Pets (formerly the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri).

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Rosa's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.