Mary Esther Rose
March 2, 1923 — October 26, 2014
Mary Esther Rose was born March 2, 1923 in Melcher, Iowa the daughter of Jennie Pearle Scott and Walter Oldham. Mary’s mother died at a young age and she was raised by her grandparents, George J. and Etta J. Scott. She graduated from East High School and Manual High and Vocational School in Kansas City.
On November 28, 1942 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Leroy Rose in Kansas City, MO. The couple lived in California for a brief time while Kenneth was in the service. Following his discharge, they returned to Kansas City. Mary and Kenneth would eventually move to Des Moines, where they spent most of their married life. Mary worked as a secretary for Massey-Ferguson for many years. She also worked as a tailor at Dickinson's Dress Shop and later opened her own business as a seamstress, making, altering, and repairing clothing. She retired in 2007. She then spent much of her time visiting her brother Dale and her brother Bud's wife (Opal Underbakke) and children: Donny (Marcia) Smith, Brenda (Bill) Copp, Bobbi Underbakke, Klee (Bich Ha) Smith, and Jennie (Lou) Espada.
Mary and Kenneth loved to travel in their spare time. Hawaii was Mary's favorite destination. Mary was also very active in the Central Community Free Methodist Church in Des Moines where she was a member for 62 years. She volunteered for numerous church activities and served as the church’s wedding coordinator. She was also a member of both The Friendship Club and the Harmonettes for about 50 years. The couple volunteered for many charitable organizations throughout the years. Mary was very creative and did many crafts, including ceramics. She helped those in need and took care of her family. Toward the end of their lives, her grandparents came to live with her and Kenneth in Des Moines until their passing.
Mary passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Manor Care in West Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 91 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and two brothers: George Oldham and Harold “Bud" Smith. Those left to mourn her passing include three children: Raymond (Donna) Rose of Montrose, Colorado; Roland (Katherine) Rose of Sagle, Idaho; and Linda (Jeff) Brunk of Ankeny, Iowa; 4 grandchildren: Christina (Kimberley) Rose-Bolak, Ryan (Jen) Rose, Sara (Rick) Haight, and Jesse (Holli) Brunk; 6 great-grandchildren; her brother, Dale (Colleen) Oldham of Springfield, Missouri and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she cherished.
Funeral Service
Bybee & Davis Funeral Home - Knoxville, Iowa
Monday, November 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Pastor Brent Hanna, officiating
Scripture Readings
Donny Smith & John Scott
Poem Reading
Bobbi Underbakke & Brenda Copp
Musical Selections
“In the Garden” “Old Rugged Cross”
“Rock of Ages”
Casket Bearers
John Scott Donny Smith
Klee Smith Jeff Scott
Mikeal Copp Jesse Brunk
Honorary Casket Bearers
Dale Oldham Ryan Rose
Kristopher Copp Brooks Peek
Brian Kellogg William Copp
The family has requested pictures and memories (bring or send) for Mary's Memory Book.
Interment
Graceland Cemetery – Knoxville, Iowa
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to:
The Animal Humane Society Donor Services at 845 Meadow Lane N, Golden Valley, MN 55422 or Central Community Free Methodist Church at 8105 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322.
Please include "In Memory of Mary E. Rose" in the memo line.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.
The family invites relatives and friends to the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall for refreshments following the committal service.
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
On November 28, 1942 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Leroy Rose in Kansas City, MO. The couple lived in California for a brief time while Kenneth was in the service. Following his discharge, they returned to Kansas City. Mary and Kenneth would eventually move to Des Moines, where they spent most of their married life. Mary worked as a secretary for Massey-Ferguson for many years. She also worked as a tailor at Dickinson's Dress Shop and later opened her own business as a seamstress, making, altering, and repairing clothing. She retired in 2007. She then spent much of her time visiting her brother Dale and her brother Bud's wife (Opal Underbakke) and children: Donny (Marcia) Smith, Brenda (Bill) Copp, Bobbi Underbakke, Klee (Bich Ha) Smith, and Jennie (Lou) Espada.
Mary and Kenneth loved to travel in their spare time. Hawaii was Mary's favorite destination. Mary was also very active in the Central Community Free Methodist Church in Des Moines where she was a member for 62 years. She volunteered for numerous church activities and served as the church’s wedding coordinator. She was also a member of both The Friendship Club and the Harmonettes for about 50 years. The couple volunteered for many charitable organizations throughout the years. Mary was very creative and did many crafts, including ceramics. She helped those in need and took care of her family. Toward the end of their lives, her grandparents came to live with her and Kenneth in Des Moines until their passing.
Mary passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Manor Care in West Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 91 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and two brothers: George Oldham and Harold “Bud" Smith. Those left to mourn her passing include three children: Raymond (Donna) Rose of Montrose, Colorado; Roland (Katherine) Rose of Sagle, Idaho; and Linda (Jeff) Brunk of Ankeny, Iowa; 4 grandchildren: Christina (Kimberley) Rose-Bolak, Ryan (Jen) Rose, Sara (Rick) Haight, and Jesse (Holli) Brunk; 6 great-grandchildren; her brother, Dale (Colleen) Oldham of Springfield, Missouri and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she cherished.
Funeral Service
Bybee & Davis Funeral Home - Knoxville, Iowa
Monday, November 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Pastor Brent Hanna, officiating
Scripture Readings
Donny Smith & John Scott
Poem Reading
Bobbi Underbakke & Brenda Copp
Musical Selections
“In the Garden” “Old Rugged Cross”
“Rock of Ages”
Casket Bearers
John Scott Donny Smith
Klee Smith Jeff Scott
Mikeal Copp Jesse Brunk
Honorary Casket Bearers
Dale Oldham Ryan Rose
Kristopher Copp Brooks Peek
Brian Kellogg William Copp
The family has requested pictures and memories (bring or send) for Mary's Memory Book.
Interment
Graceland Cemetery – Knoxville, Iowa
For those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to:
The Animal Humane Society Donor Services at 845 Meadow Lane N, Golden Valley, MN 55422 or Central Community Free Methodist Church at 8105 Douglas Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322.
Please include "In Memory of Mary E. Rose" in the memo line.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.
The family invites relatives and friends to the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall for refreshments following the committal service.
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Esther Rose, please visit our flower store.