Rosemarie “Rose” Baldus, nee Klein, 98, of Fairview Heights, IL, born August 1, 1928, in Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 24, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Rose grew up in Freeburg, IL with a strong sense of responsibility and a solid work ethic. While she was attending Notre Dame High School in Belleville, she worked as a switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell to pay for her tuition. When she wasn't working, she loved going to dances with her sister, Kate, and it was at one of these dances that she met Mel Baldus, the love of her life.
Rose and Mel settled in Fairview Heights and raised their six children there. While juggling family life, Rose was also a key player on the family farm. You could often spot her in the fields, driving the grain truck or delivering meals during the busy harvest season.
Family was always Rose's top priority. She loved spending time with extended family and friends playing croquet, cards, and going to Saturday night dances. Rose and Mel also loved camping and fishing, often towing their 5th-wheel camper and fishing boat to Lake Murphysboro, Lake Sara in Effingham, Carlyle Lake, or Rend Lake.
As the kids grew up, Rose and Mel discovered a shared love for golf. Rose enjoyed her weekly golf league at Arlington Golf Course and played there for several years having a blast. She and Mel also shared their love of dancing and gave lessons in their basement to family and friends.
When they reached their golden years, Rose and Mel decided to trade the chilly Midwest winters for the sunny warmth of North Fort Myers, FL. They spent 26 winters there, playing cards with friends, enjoying shuffleboard, hosting family and friends, and going on bike rides.
Rose was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Assumption and then Holy Trinity Parish, Fairview Heights, IL. She was very active with their St. Ann’s Altar Society, a Eucharistic Minister and spent many years on the Diocesan School Board.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Mel Baldus Sr. and her daughter Diane Gray; her parents, Edmund and Cecilia, nee Hoffman, Klein; two brothers and their spouses, Ed (Rose) Klein and John (Carol) Klein; siblings-in-law, Joseph "Dick" Dickerson and Bill Leingang and siblings-in-law and their spouses, John "Bud" (Velma and Mary Ann) Baldus, Helen (Francis) Eversman, and Millie (Knute) Newberry.
Surviving are five of her six children, Mel Jr. (Kathy) Baldus, Gary (Sue) Baldus, Rick (Terry) Baldus, David (Jane) Baldus, and Chris (Dale) Siebenberger; her son-in-law, Jim Gray; two sisters, Kate Dickerson and Mary Leingang; one brother, Bob (Sandy) Klein, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank Phyllis Schleicher and Beth Adams for their attentive, loving care while Rose lived at Grand Manor. In addition, special thanks to the Dover Hospice nurses Tina and Treena for all their care and comfort they gave Rose over the last few months.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church or to the Wounded Warriors Project. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday October 29, 2026, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.
Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.