Rosemary Askew

Rosemary T. Askew, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center, where she was staying after a short but intense battle with brain cancer.

She was born May 18, 1932, on the family farm near Portageville, Mo., to Francis and Lena Brasher Toton. She and Kenneth Askew were married July 10, 1949, in Piggott, Ark.

Many years ago, Rosemary worked at Davis Electric and then at Lowenbaum Dress Factory. Later she was a department manager at Montgomery Ward several years. She had an in-home day care many years, where she was lovingly known as "Nanny." She was an active member of Bethany Baptist Church. She and her husband enjoyed gardening. Rosemary was an avid walker.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth; a son, Kenneth Askew Jr. and wife Connie of Eden Prairie, Minn.; a daughter, Debbie Harris and husband Pete of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Pat) Siebert of Fort Riley, Kan., Brian Harris of Seattle, Wash., Colin and Gretchen Askew of Eden Prairie; a great-grandchild, Jacob Siebert of Fort Riley; two brothers, Wayne Toton of Scott City and Harry (Barb) Toton of Portageville; numerous sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Dr. Shawn Wasson and the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be given to Bethany Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.