Rose Marie (Schlattmann) Moritz

Rose Marie (Schlattmann) Moritz

December 31, 1936 – July 25, 2022  

 VISITATION begins on Friday, July 29^th at 4:30pm at the West Center Chapel, with a VIGIL SERVICE at 6:30pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, July 30^th at 10am at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 15353 Pacific St. Interment, Omaha National Cemetery. 

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Rose was born December 31, 1936, in Poole, NE; the eleventh of thirteen children. She graduated from Ravenna High School and moved to Loup City where she worked as a clerk for Sherman County. While living in Loup City, she met Paul Moritz. They married June 1, 1957 and lived in Lincoln while Paul finished college at UNL. Paul and Rose moved to Omaha and in 1965 joined Holy Cross Parish, where they raised their six children: Kathy, Margaret, Paul Jr, Carrie, Alice, and Jerry. Rose spent many years tending to the hard work of keeping an immaculate home, cooking a big meal every evening, expertly sewing clothes for the entire family, and trying to keep the kids out of trouble (the latter at which she was marginally successful — but, in all fairness, she didn’t have a lot to work with).

Rose and Paul were active in Marriage Encounter. They were an example of a relationship based on faith, friendship, and love, that all their children strive to emulate.

After the kids were in school, Rose went back to work as a bookkeeper at Holy Cross Parish where she became an integral part of the rectory management staff.  She spent many years in this role and developed strong relationships in the parish, many of which she maintained throughout her entire life.

Paul and Rose moved to Minnesota in the 1980s, where they began the “empty nest” phase of their life. They enjoyed boating on Lake Minnetonka, golfing, traveling, and enjoying their time together. They moved back to Omaha. After Paul retired, they spent the winters in Texas enjoying golfing, dancing, playing cards, games, traveling, and living life to the fullest.

They say that grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your own children, and Rose was well-rewarded with 15 grandchildren that adore her with all their hearts. She truly was the best Grandma ever and her legacy will live on forever through her grandkids.

Ever industrious, Rose spent much of the pandemic embroidering, quilting and making gifts for her family that will be cherished forever. She was the ultimate example of selfless love as she cared for Paul throughout the pandemic until his death 11 weeks ago.  Her devotion was beautiful to behold.

Rose is preceded in death by the love of her life, Paul; her parents, Henry and Bertha Schlattmann; her mother and father-in-law, Stanley and Mary Moritz; 12 brothers and sisters; many sisters and brothers-in-law. Rose had a running wager with her brother, Dode over who would be the one to “turn the lights out on the Schlattmann 13.” While the room is now dark, rest assured their light will continue to shine for many generations.

Rose is survived by daughters: Kathy Byrnes (Jack), Margaret Farquhar (Rob), Carrie Novotny (Joe), Alice Ruhnke (Tim); and sons, Paul James Jr. (Lynette), and Jerry (Julie); fifteen grandchildren: Jaime Chaffin (Ross), Shelbi Wallis (Bobby), Jackson Byrnes, Paul James Moritz III (Angela), Tyler Farquhar, Brian Moritz (Sabrina), Conner Byrnes, Brett Farquhar, Zach Moritz, Michael Ruhnke, Ryan Moritz, Sam Moritz, Riley Moritz, Luke Ruhnke, and Reagan Moritz. She adored her four great grandchildren: Blayke Elizabeth, Olivia Brook, Paul James IV, and Greysen Lee. Rose is also survived by sister-in-law, Norma Schlattmann; many nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends.

We are heartbroken that she left so suddenly, but we know Dad was waiting for her on the far side banks of Jordan.