Rose M. Conner

Rose Marie Conner of Appleton, WI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 after a hard fought illness. She was 69 years old. Rose was born in Appleton, WI on January 17, 1954 to parents Leo and Lorraine (Hermsen) Hooyman. She married the love of her life, Chris Conner on May 31, 1986. Their love was one for the ages and anyone who witnessed it could see its pure beauty and strength.

To know Rose was to love her. She had a smile that lit up the room, a generous, loving heart for all she met and a personality that was unapologetically her own. Rose loved fiercely and was absolutely beautiful inside and out. Her laughter was contagious and man did she love to laugh. 

She loved her family beyond measure and shared a very special bond with daughter, Michelle. Her favorite thing was spending time with her grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She knew time was precious and cherished every moment. 

Left here on Earth to cherish the memories of Rose are her loving husband of 37 years, Chris; daughter, Michelle (Steve) Bourassa; son, Rick (Sarah) Conner; her 4 beautiful grandchildren: Brecken Bourassa, Koda Conner, Kaden Conner and Myla Conner; siblings: Gary (Betty Jo) Hooyman, Karl (Barb) Hooyman, Mary (Carl) Ness, Jeff (Barb) Hooyman, Cheryl (John) Golden; sisters and brothers-in-law: Jane Hooyman, Allen (Jeanne) Lamers, Steven (Lynn Marie) Conner, Cathy (Bruce) Brown; and mother-in-law, Frieda Conner. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews and a lifetime of special friends. 

Rose was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine Hooyman; father, Leo Hooyman; sisters: Elaine Lamers and Joanie (Carl) Helms; brother, Dennis Hooyman; and her beloved Peekapoo, Cocoa.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, with Fr. Ron Belitz officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. For those wishing to view the service online, it will be streamed at www.stjn.org. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be set up in Rose’s name. Donations may be sent to Chris Conner, c/o Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Funeral Home, 101 Canal Street, Little Chute, WI 54140. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

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