Obituary Detail
February 06, 2025
Rosemary (Rosie) Drerup, Age:68
Rosemary Drerup (68) Plano, TX
Rosemary (Rosie) Jane Drerup left our world on Thursday, Feb. 6th at 11:46 a.m. in Richardson TX, and returned to her spiritual home and eternal identity.
Rosie was born Oct. 25th, 1956 in Auburn, IN to Paul and Margaret (Walter) Drerup. The 8th child in a family of 11 children, she grew up in the country on 40 acres of land, and it was there that she discovered her love for plants and animals.
From an early age, Rosie was a hard worker, getting her first job at just 13, working at the Brown House in Auburn. She was proud to have worked hard throughout her teenage years, learning to support herself and also finishing high school a semester early. She graduated from DeKalb High School in 1974.
Rosie moved to Plano, TX in 1994 and met Tom Stephens. Working together, they ran an appliance repair shop for over 25 years. Tom and Rosie had a long-term relationship, as both business partners and life partners.
Rosie loved animals fiercely, and was proud to call herself the “crazy cat lady”. Over the years, she took in many stray cats and provided a safe and loving home for them. Rosie had a wickedly funny sense of humor and an incredible gift for being able to identify plants. She was also outspoken and often unfiltered in her communication. Social norms were not for her. She was strong, resourceful, and resilient, knowing she had to take care of herself.
Rosie leaves behind her life partner, Tom Stephens, as well as 8 siblings: Joseph Drerup (Marlene), Olney, MD, Joan Drerup, Chatsworth, CA, Jenna Drerup (Kathie), Oxford, IN, Stephen Drerup, Roanoke IN, Vincent Drerup, Cincinnati, OH, Suzanne Drerup-Davis, Auburn, IN, Teresa Drerup, Cooperstown NY, and Christine Williams (Dewey), Muncie, IN. She was preceeded in her return home by her parents, a brother, Philip Drerup (12-25-1996), and a sister, Louise Kelly (1-23-2025). She was also preceeded by many animals whom she thought of as her family and who will now welcome her home.
You may honor her memory by showing compassion and love to all animals.
Condolences
Susan Kay (Ridenour) Konrad February 13, 2025
Classmate in school, Class 1974 Colorado Springs , Colorado
Sending Hugs to Rosie's family and friends. I know she will be missed. I hope there is some comfort for your hearts knowing she is no longer ill and not in pain as she rejoices being in heaven with loved ones and friends who left Earth before her.
Ray Woodcock February 12, 2025
Friend San Antonio , Texas
My gosh. I am stunned to read the news. We had lost touch. I've known Rosie since high school. She was one of the most active members of our prayer group at DeKalb. A wonderful person. My condolences to her family. I am very sorry to hear she's gone.
Joseph Drerup February 12, 2025
Brother Olney , Maryland
Me at 14: You were likely the first baby I bottle-fed, burped, etc. Being a junior dad was fun: all the joy; none of the responsibility. You at 14: Already enterprising (so I heard). Thanks for the weekend tour of Dallas, the ballpark, the quinceañera… and driving me around during Philip’s memorial service. You’re a good sister!
Neal Gahimer February 11, 2025
Her First and Only Husband Pensacola , Florida
I never lost my love for Rosie as she was my first Live, I do not remember her ever working at The Brown House, She worked for my parents at the A&W Root Beer stand for many years,and my BBB Father bought her first car for her, and she paid him back for it I will miss her terribly even though we only talked for the last several years R.I.P. my Love🙏🙏🙏
