Sherrie 'Rose' Ann Riggins — St. Charles

Sherrie "Rose" Ann Riggins, 54, of St. Charles, died peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, and caregivers who have become a part of her family.

Rose was born July 22, 1960, to Bill and Adrien (Gautier) Riggins in Memphis, Tenn. Rose was born with multiple disabilities and was placed in the care of Russian nuns at St. Rita's Evaluation Center at the age of five weeks. She continued living in institutions until Nov. 11, 2005, at which time she came to live with her sister, Tricia, and her husband, Mike, at Rosewood, an adult family home they started and named after Rose in Clear Lake, Wis. It was here that Rose began to thrive, getting the opportunity to experience many of her firsts like seeing the ocean, riding a horse and an ATV and taking her first helicopter ride. In July 2007, Rose moved with Tricia and Mike to Sevierville, Tenn., where she worked at Douglas Cooperative Vocational Center. In January 2013, Rose moved with Tricia and Mike to St. Charles. She loved to go for walks and rides in the car. Rose usually had a favorite sock in her hand.

It was Rose's ability to seek out kind people, or people who needed kindness themselves and either held their hand or gave them a hug. This ability charmed her caregivers, enabling them to love her like a family member. Rose didn't speak words, but her love spoke volumes.

She is survived by her mom, Adrien Barnes; five siblings, Mary Maynard (David), John Riggins (Melanie), Mike Riggins, Jeanne James (Steve) and Tricia Kramer. She is also survived by a special niece and nephew, Katie and Daniel Kramer, the whole Kramer family as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Rose is preceded in death by her father and her brother-in-law, Mike Kramer who was the first and only father she knew.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles, led by Funeral Celebrant Jenny Hoff, with the Rev. Mark Pluim and Fr. Kurt Farrell offering messages of hope. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Burial will be at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Elba.

Please share a memory of Rose, online, view her video tribute and read her life story when it becomes available at hofffuneral.com .