Family and friends are coming from near and far to celebrate the long life of the Klco family matriarch, more than 100 of them the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Rosemarie Klco, better known to all as “Rosie.” Rosie Klco-Divish was 98 when she died in September at Maplewood S enior Living in Chardon. Among those who will honor her is the priest she and her late husband George knew as “Father Mike” — Michael G. Woost. They became friends when Woost served as parochial vicar at their Madison Township church shortly after being ordained. Now, Woost is the auxiliary bishop for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese and will preside at Rosie’s events. They include the graveside service at 9 a.m. April 6 at Perry Township Cemetery, 3840 Middle Ridge Road, and the celebration of life to follow at 10:30 a.m. at the Perry Community Center, 2800 Perry Park Road. Rosie Klco-Divish, who died last year at 98, lived much of her life in Perry Township, where she and her husband, George, raised 11 children. Her life will be celebrated there on April 6. (Courtesy of the Klco family) As a young priest assigned to Immaculate Conception Church in Madison, Woost saw George and Rosie Klco daily during the 1980s when they served as sacristans, setting up the church for daily services. “They were kind and loving people who knew everyone and were very involved in both the church and the Madison-Perry community,” Woost recalled. “Since I was responsible for the spiritual life of the parish, I often sought their wisdom and guidance. They were very supportive of me in my early years as a priest.” He said he’s honored and moved to be a part of Rosie’s graveside service and celebration of life. “It’s the passing of an era,” he said. “But they raised a great bunch of kids and left a rich legacy of living their values with love. I hope the following generations will continue that.” Twice widowed and retired in Florida, she had returned in the summer to live in Northeast Ohio, where she and George had raised their 11 children. In July, the Klco family reunion drew more than 100 family members to North Perry Village, from as far away as Samoa, Copenhagen and Germany. The massive Klco family is reuniting this weekend as matriarch moves back home Many of Rosie’s descendants are again making the trip for the weekend’s events, which will include the burial of the urns for both George and Rosie at 2:30 p.m. April 5 at Perry Township Cemetery. There will be no service at the inurnment, but those wishing to be there will be welcomed. During the weekend’s events, family, friends and neighbors will share their memories of Rosie and her many years of engagement with the people in her life. Some may even recall seeing her with a baby in a sling as she polished windows for customers at the family’s service station. Perhaps son Larry will share how his mom once thought he’d joined a cult, and maybe daughter Stephanie will talk about how her mother helped her survive as the only girl among 10 brothers. Rosie Klco-Divish and her 11 children are shown at the Klco family reunion in July. They are from left to right, starting with Rosie, in the front row, George and Jerry; second row — Stephanie, Jim and Tom; and third row — Chuck, Ed, Dave, Ken, Paul and Larry. (Courtesy of the Klco family) Woost may even recall how the couple would be the first to step up when anyone needed help and instilled the same values of service in their 11 children. Klco offspring include a former mayor and two councilmen for North Perry Village and a longtime Leroy Township trustee. Many will agree they inherited their parents’ dedication to service, enhanced by loving kindness. After George and Rosie married in 1946, their family began with the birth of George in 1947, followed by Ed in 1948. Ken, the only Klco child born at home, arrived during the Thanksgiving blizzard of 1950, which dumped up to 30 inches of snow across Ohio. George and Rosemarie Klco were married in 1946. (Courtesy of the Klco family) Just a few months later, in 1951, the Klcos established the full-service George & Sons Shell Station they operated at 4603 North Ridge Road in Perry. The young family, with their three little boys, moved into an apartment that was part of that building, and there they welcomed sons Larry, Tom and Chuck into the fold. In 1960, they moved to nearby 3556 Perry Park Road, where they lived when sons Dave, Jerry, Jim and Paul and daughter Stephanie were born. George had become involved with volunteering in the community as both a firefighter and school bus driver. The Klco family lived in the Perry Park Road home until 1998, by which time the children all were grown. George and Rosie moved to a retirement community in Delray Beach, Florida, that year. When George died in 2002, they’d been married 56 years. Rosie continued volunteering with her Florida church and community and made many friends, including Edward Divish. After finding love again, Rosie married him in 2004, and they had three years together before his death. Then twice a widow, Rosie became certified as a first responder and began volunteering for the Sun City Emergency Squad, joining them on rescues for 11 years, retiring in her 90s. Daughter Stephanie, the only female among the 11 Klco siblings, emphasized how the discipline of a hard work philosophy lived by her parents has been passed along to the grandchildren of Rosie and George. Rosie Klco-Divish, center, is surrounded by most of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at July’s family reunion in Perry. (Courtesy of the Klco family) “They’re pathologists, researchers, educators, business owners, filmmakers, an art curator, engineer, conservationists, attorneys, nurses, tour guides, social workers, accountants and a psychologist,” Stephanie told the News-Herald last year for a story about the Klco family reunion. Celebrating Rosie Klco-Divish Graveside service: 9 to 9:30 a.m. April 6 at Perry Township Cemetery, 3840 Middle Ridge Road; Bishop Michael Woost officiating. Celebration of life: 10:30 a.m. April 6 Perry Community Center, 2800 Perry Park Road; greeting by son Larry Klco; “In the Garden” opening song; daughter Stephanie singing “You Are My Sunshine” and slide show; son Ed Klco reading “Mom’s Prayer”; audio story recorded by Rosie; celebration of life by Bishop Michael Woost; “Lord Is My Shepherd” read by Jim Klco; song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”; son Paul will carry the microphone to those sharing comments and reflections; slide show of Klco family photos, set to the song “Scars in Heaven”; closing song “Amazing Grace; closing prayer by Woost; reception follows. ...read more read less