Rosella Brass

Oregon – Rosella Dena Brass, age 91, died Friday, June 3, 2022 at Generations at Neighbor’s Nursing Home in Byron.  She was born June 5, 1930 in West Brooklyn, Illinois the daughter of Albert and Elma (Harrington) Dirksen.  She graduated from Monroe Center High School in 1949.  She married Emerald G. Brass, Sr. on June 21, 1952 at the Ebenezer Reformed Church near Oregon, IL. He preceded her on June 7, 1989.  After getting married Rosella assisted her husband as the secretary and bookkeeper of the Emerald Brass Insurance Agency which was in Oregon, IL from 1953 – 2001.  She was a lifelong Oregon area resident.  Rosella loved to travel and listen to country music.  She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Emerald Brass, Sr., her son Emerald Brass, Jr; her brothers: Alfred (Martha) Dirksen, Calvin (Betty) Dirksen, and an infant brother Glen Dirksen; her sisters: Alberta Dirksen, Rowena (Wilbur) Rhoads; her niece Jeanne Mack and nephew David McBride.  She is survived by her daughters Joan Brass of Oregon, IL and Rosemary (Wes) Prewett of Stillman Valley; three nephews: Alfred (Judy) Dirksen of Darlington, WI, Dennis (Denise) Dirksen of Goshen, KY, and Eugene Denekas of Oregon, IL; 7 nieces: Linda Dirksen of Winnebago, Patricia Durrstien of Colfax, WI, Judy (Robert) Marquardt of Ocala, FL, Vicki Dirksen of North Aurora, IL, Renee (David) O’Donnell of Sycamore, IL, Trudi (Scott) Schoger of Big Rock, IL, and Carolyn Snow of Mendota, IL.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, Monday, June 13, 2022 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7th Street in Oregon, IL.  A graveside service will be held at 11:30 am, on Monday, June 13, 2022 at the Ebenezer Cemetery.  The family would like to thank the Generations at Neighbor’s family for their loving care given to Rosella every day from both the Rehab and Dementia Units.  Special thanks to the Linzemann family, Laurie (Greg) Todd, Keith, Terri, and Jayne.  Also, thanks to the Serenity Hospice and Home for their guidance and special care in Rosella’s final days.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Serenity Hospice and Home, 1658 S. Illinois Route 2, Oregon, IL 61061, the Alzheimer’s Dementia Association at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or the American Heart Association, 300 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606.