Rose Anne Kersten, 93, of Rochelle, passed from this life on April 14, 2023 at home. Rose Anne was born April 20, 1929 in Rochelle to M. William and Ruth E. (Barnett) Ravnaas of Steward, IL. She was the youngest of six children.

After graduating from Steward High School, she attended Northern Illinois Teacher's College in DeKalb, IL. On December 30, 1950, she married Wayne G. Kersten after three years of courtship. They started their married life together on a farm southeast of Ashton but lived most of their lives in rural Rochelle, farming for 47 years. In later years, they owned and operated their own business, R V Storage.

Rose Anne loved her family and friends dearly. She always had a smile, a joyous laugh, and made time for conversation with whomever she met. She kept in touch with friends and family all over the states with letters and cards. She was active in her church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and serving on committees. Rose Anne was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for more than 50 years and a proud volunteer at Ronald Reagan's boyhood home in Dixon as a tour guide. She was also a volunteer for the Rochelle Elementary School District and served on the school board.

Her homemade potato salad and cream puffs were favorites at family dinners she loved hosting. She always had time for her grandchildren and enjoyed any activity with them. Rose Anne enjoyed working in her flower beds, bird watching, going to band concerts together with Wayne, word puzzle books and watching "The Wheel of Fortune".

She is predeceased by her parents, sisters: Marjorie Eiselstein, Ruth Totten, Shirley Kersten, Phyllis Jones, and brother Martin Ravnaas, husband, Wayne and daughter, Kathy.

She will be greatly missed by daughters: Janet (Dennis) Stewart of Rochelle, Donna Kersten (Ric Chandler) of Rochelle and Sara (Greg) Macklin of Oregon, IL; six grandchildren: Sheila Kersten Dewey, Ryan (Ashley) Stewart, Kelly (Shawn) McKenzie, Matthew (Jaclyn) Macklin, Kyle (Markee) Macklin and Jason (Justine) Macklin, eleven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 21 from 4-7 pm at Unger Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle. There will be a private graveside service. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 22 at the Rochelle United Methodist Church, 709 Fourth Avenue in Rochelle at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rochelle United Methodist Church, to Joy in the Harvest (Christian missionary-Tanzania, see www.joyintheharvest.com), or Serenity Hospice and Home.

The family wishes to thank personal caregivers: Judy, Marie, Robin, Sue, Bev and the staff at Serenity Hospice and Home for the tender loving care they gave to Rose Anne and her family. Visit www.ungerhorner.com for online guest book.