Marie Kossen

Marie M. Kossen passed away at the age of 91, on March 17th at 5:30 a.m. in her daughter's home in Marshfield, Mo. Marie was born August 8, 1915 in Chester, Arkansas to Tom and Rosa Poore. Her parents passed away when she was two, and Marie was raised by her great aunt and uncle, Curt and Irene Friddle.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her brother, Claude Poore, daughter, Carolyn and son, Ronnie, grandchildren, Bart Kossen, Karen and Mike Welsh, great grandson, Kyle Roberts and son-in-law, David Roberts.

Marie retired from Lily-Tulip in 1977. She enjoyed reading, traveling and collecting shells on Sanibel Island, Florida. Marie loved to care for her large lawn and flowers and was especially proud of her liberty tree. A constant source of pride with Marie was displaying the American flag in front of her home. She and Charles resided in and raised their family in the Kossen home that has been in the family for over 100 years.

Marie was a long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and enjoyed caring for the altar, quilting with the ladies' auxilliary and attending Mass until her health prevented her attendance. She was a volunteer for The Kitchen for many years and a Preferred Angel of Ronald McDonald House.

She was an avid sports fan who was so proud of her Arkansas State High School Womens' Championship Team, and cherished the team photos of which she was the tallest member.

Marie is survived by three daughters; Sharron Roberts, Marshfield, Barbara Welsh and husband, Gene, Kathryn Holden and husband, James, all of Springfield; one son, Pieter Kossen and wife, Ruth Ann, Collierville, Tenn.; a daughter in law, Judy Kossen, Springfield; 20 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 19, 2007, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, at Locust and Summit with Monsignor Thomas Reidy, celebrant, with interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, all under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut.. A prayer service will be Sunday, March 18, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home, with visitation to follow.

A special thanks to Alice Greenfield of St. John's Hospice for providing her special loving care. In lieu of flowers you may honor Marie with donations to St. John's Hospice Care, 1235 E. Cherokee, Springfield, Mo. 65804. Mom was a much loved grand lady and a blessing to all who knew her. Online condolences can be made at www.hhlohmeyer.com.