Rosalie Bootz (nee Vespalec), devoted wife, treasured mother and grandmother, loyal disciple of Christ and strong proponent of the Catholic faith, passed to Jesus on Thursday, May 28, 2020 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. A native of Milwaukee and a longtime resident of Destin, Florida, she devoted her life to her family and her community. She loved driving, sewing, crosswords, numbers, tennis, golf, music, grocery shopping, getting into adventures with her sisters, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Rosalie was born in 1924 to Cornelia and Anton Vespalec, who had immigrated to the United States from their native Czechoslovakia in the early part of the 20th century. She was the eldest of five children. Her father was a machinist at Allis-Chalmers and her mother was a homemaker. She married Robert “Bob” Bootz in 1944 and raised six children in a loving home on the south side of Milwaukee. Rosalie and Bob retired to Destin in 1978 and spent many happy years there. After Bob passed away in 1996, Rosalie continued to enjoy life in Florida with involvement in outdoor activities, church projects and many visits with her devoted offspring and grandchildren. In 2016 she returned to her hometown where she set up residence at San Camillo independent living. Vibrant and energetic well into her 90’s, Rosalie was a mover and a shaker who didn’t like to sit still, only felled by a sudden stroke that ended her life after a short stay in hospice with her loved ones nearby. She will be sorely missed by her grieving family.
Rosalie is survived by five of her children: George Bootz (Sandy) of Lake Geneva, WI; Barbara Bootz (Joe O’Hagan) of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Charles Bootz (Lori) of West Allis, WI; Heidi Bootz (Jim Lindhorst) of Muskego, WI); and Mary Steele (Keith) of Madisonville, LA; her sisters Vera Gardeski and Peg Michl, and her brother Anthony Vespalec; five beloved grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many favored nieces and nephews. Rosalie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Bob, her beloved firstborn son, Robert and her dear sister Antoinette (“Tonch”) Paolini.
The family is grateful to the outstanding staff at St. Camillus hospice who gave her compassionate, professional care; to the medical team at Froedert Hospital; and to the kind folks at San Camillo, where she was able to live an active, faith-filled, independent life in her most recent years.
The funeral will be private due to Covid-19 considerations. A memorial mass and celebration of her life will be held at a future date to be announced. Arrangements are being handled by Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (website: https://www.schmidtandbartelt.com.) In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities of Milwaukee: https://www.ccmke.org/Catholic-Charities/WaysToGive.htm, or to the charity of your choice.
