Shirley Rose

Shirley Hall Rose, passed away on March 1, 2017 in the early morning related to residuals from a cerebrovascular accident five days ago.  She was born August 6, 1926 in Wellsville, Utah, the last of nine children.  She She was in her 91st year of life.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Florin Max Rose, who died in 2013.

A Great Depression-era child, mother grew up on a farm and became an excellent cook, a capable seamstress, a gracious hostess, and a tireless homemaker.  She was a prolific reader and made many beautiful quilts (at last count 39) as well as suits of clothing for her family.  She was an amazing gardener who regularly grew beautiful flowers and luscious fruits and vegetables.  She attended South Cache High School where she met her husband, Florin, and they eloped in 1943 to Preston, Idaho, shortly before dad entered World War II where he served 179 days on the front lines in four major battles in Europe before being severely wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple in December, 1943 and lasted three months shy of 70 years.  Four children were born to their marriage:  Douglas, Kristine, Michael and Maren.

Mom and dad valued education for their children, all four of whom completed undergraduate and graduate degrees under parental duress.  Her children learned mom had uncannily intuitive powers that frequently short-circuited their shenanigans before they could be carried out.  She had eleven grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, each of whom was her personal favorite.  After her children reached school age, mom worked in a variety of positions, mostly in banks and hospitals.  She loved music, especially country-western music and loved dancing with dad, and together they earned their “Night Owl” badges in Fun Stars.  They became dance directors in virtually every stake in the LDS Church they moved into.  It was a lot of fun watching them jitter-bug or fox-trot together, often dancing in the living room to music from the Lawrence Welk Show.  On one of several visits to Alaska, both dad and mom each caught king salmon in the Kenai River.  Dad’s king was a beautiful specimen that weighed 58 pounds.  Mom’s king put up a ferocious and strenuous fight that completely exhausted her.  To her delight, the netted fish weighed 59 pounds, one pound more than dad’s.  To this day, mother holds the family record for the largest king caught with rod and reel in the Kenai River.  In the LDS Church, mother served in a variety of positions including primary president, relief society presidency, Sunday school teacher and visiting teacher.  She had a strong yet humble and heart-felt knowledge of Heavenly Father and a pure testimony of Jesus Christ.  We are especially grateful for the hundreds of hours of compassionate service rendered to mom and dad over the years by Ron and Elizabeth Gage, Richard Westerberg, and other Preston First Ward members. 

A viewing will be held in the Webb Mortuary in Preston, Idaho on Monday, March 6 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon.  At mom’s request, there will be no funeral service. Interment will be in the Wellsville Utah Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Webb Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com