Rose Lee Van Mol

Mrs. Rose Lee Van Mol, 98, died Thursday morning, October 7th, 2021, at home in the care of her children. Rose Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Edwin Van Mol; her son, Robert Jeremy Van Mol; her parents, Robert Adrian and Anne Marie McAnany; her siblings, Robert Adrian McAnany, Jr., Mary Anne Textor, and Louis Sarsfield McAnany; her brother-in-law, Ralph George Textor; and her grandsons, Jonathan David Seitz and Jacob Neal Neuhaus. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mrs. JoAnn McAnany; her children, Rebecca Anne Van Mol, Mary Kristin Van Mol, Susan Lee Van Mol, Timothy Gerald Van Mol, Joan Elizabeth Seitz (David), Patrick Dion Van Mol, Rose Ellen Neuhaus (Pete), Terence Damian Van Mol, Anne Marie Richardson (George), and Elizabeth Maria Ward (Robert); her 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Rose Lee was a Shawnee girl, attending elementary and high school at St. Joseph's, then attending Mount St. Scholastica (Benedictine College) and the University of Kansas to study writing. While she had a great love of language and writing (publishing one article in the Kansas City Star), she chose to devote her life to family. After college, Rose Lee worked at North American Aviation and then TWA. While working at TWA, Rose Lee met Gerry through her future sister-in-law, Mary Chown, a fellow Shawnee girl. Rose Lee and Gerry married in 1949, living in Argentine where her home parish became Sacred Heart. Rose Lee was a long time member of the St. Theresa's Circle of the Altar Society at Sacred Heart, and an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary for almost 20 years. Rose Lee filled their home with the best offerings in children's literature to share her love of words and illustration with the children. She was a skilled gardener, creating a natural playground where her children could explore and let their imaginations run wild. Her baking skills were shared generously, with her cinnamon bread being a favorite. When Gerry retired in 1980, he and Rose Lee were finally able to travel, visiting the home town of Gerry's family in Mol, Belgium, Rose Lee's family in Enniskeen, Ireland, France, and Hawaii. Motor home trips allowed them to explore America over several summers with many of their children, as well as some trips with their siblings and in-laws. One of their last trips was van camping all around Mexico. As one of Mom's favorites, The Sons of the Pioneers, would say, “Happy Trails to You!” Say hi to Dad for us! Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kansas City, KS. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Shawnee, KS. Friends may call from 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at the Maple Hill Funeral Home where the Rosary will be said at 6:30 PM.

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Rose Lee Van Mol

February 25, 1923 - October 7, 2021