Mary Remmers

Mary Remmers ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Morton on Mar. 16, 2026.MORTON – Mary Katherine Burdette Remmers, died peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Villas of Hollybrook in Morton, Illinois. She formerly lived in Germantown Hills, Illinois.Born November 21, 1941, the daughter of Robert D. and Ora E. Burdette in Peoria, Illinois.She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Ronald L. Remmers, and former spouse, Joseph L. Remmers.Surviving are her daughters, Anne (Tom) Novey of Sheridan, Illinois and Nancy (Lindell) Jewell of East Peoria, Illinois; four grandchildren, Cameron (Kari) Jewell of East Peoria, Illinois, Mora (John) Wolff of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Alexis (Doug) Kumpf of Morton, Illinois and Brother Kolbe (formerly Parker Novey) of the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady Dallas, Texas; five great grandchildren, Celia Jewell, Knox Jewell, Colson Jewell, Maverick Kumpf and Aaron Wolff; two brothers, Stephen (Barbara) Burdette of Rolesville, North Carolina and Richard Burdette of Peoria, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.Mary grew up on her parents' farm near Wildlife Prairie Park in rural Peoria County. She graduated from Limestone Community High School in Bartonville in 1959.She worked as a bookkeeper/secretary at Leo Gorenz and Associates in Peoria for 19 years before taking a job at Caterpillar as an Administrative Assistant. She worked for 24 years before retirement in January 2003 working in various departments.She served as President and later Treasurer of the Caterpillar Retirees Club, where she enjoyed connecting with many friends for over two decades including hosting various bus trips. She also served as President of the Caterpillar Girls Club. She volunteered at the Illinois Cancer Care for 15 years as a cancer survivor herself for 20+ years and donated faithfully in memory of her son following his death to esophageal cancer. She ushered at Peoria Players and East Light Theaters for many years. Mary had a large circle of friends spanning from childhood through her assisted living facility.Mary enjoyed embroidering, crocheting, playing bunco with the girls, going on cruises and traveling, and watching NASCAR.She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up and experience new things and participate in activities and sports. Mary's family meant everything to her and they were her whole heart.She received exceptional care from Kelsey and Abby under hospice through Transitions Care for the past 13 months. The staff at Villas of Hollybrook, especially Crystal, Nikki, Kim, Teresa, Whitney, Emily, Ashley, Carrie, Brittany provided support and care throughout her time in the community.Mary was a longstanding member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church and more recently Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, with Fr. Adam Cesarek officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton. Burial will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.Memorials may be made to Illinois Cancer Care.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.