Rosemary June Carlson

Rose grew up in north central Iowa on a farm with three sisters and a brother. She was the oldest of her siblings. Rose cherished many fond memories of playing ball, school and church, and riding trikes and bikes with her siblings. Rose was always surrounded by cats and dogs while growing up, along with chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guineas. Rose's chores were feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs daily. Summers were spent swimming and fishing in the creek that flowed through the family farm. Growing up on the family farm was the greatest! During Rose's high school years, her father gave her a calf to raise each year. When the calf was sold, the money was put into a college fund. Rose vividly remembers her mother listening to devotionals on the radio. Every morning at 9:30 the program would start by singing 'I Love to Tell the Story' with Mother singing along. I also remember my mother singing throughout the day as she cared for her children. Her favorite song was 'I Come to the Garden Alone While the Dew is Still on the Roses'. However, after she was blessed with five children, she did not sing as often! Rose was baptized and confirmed at the St. Peter's United Church of Christ at Geneva, IA. She graduated from Ackley-Geneva Community High School with honors and served as homecoming queen. Rose attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, IA right out of high school. After attending Ellsworth Community College, Rose worked at the Des Moines Register and Tribune for several years as the Administrative Assistant to the Purchasing Agent and then the Administrative Assistant to the Production Manager. Rose married and worked as Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Education at the University of South Dakota while her husband attended law school in Vermillion, SD. Upon his graduation, Rose helped her husband set-up his own law practice in Eagle Grove, Iowa, working as his office assistant. To this union was born daughter Jaci and son Justin. When they became school age, Rose once again entered the work force working in the property, casualty, and crop insurance field. During this time, Rose also was co-owner and manager of 13 rental properties. Rose went back to continue her education at Buena Vista University while Jaci and Justin were in college. She graduated with honors with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Rose moved to Spencer and married Jerry in 1996. She changed careers, becoming an optician for optometrists and ophthalmologists. Rose was forced to retire in 2005 due to complications from her cancer treatment. Rose dearly loved her grandchildren and spending time with them. Not only was she a very loving grandma, but also a loving and gracious mother. A quote from her son: 'You have always been selfless. You always put other's needs in front of yours'. Rose loved to travel, visiting most of the states in the USA, including Hawaii. She also traveled to Europe twice. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, photography (especially lighthouses), and boating. Rose loved gardening, both perennial flowers and growing vegetables. 'Playing in the Dirt' is what she called it. It was good therapy. She had beautiful perennial gardens with something different always blooming throughout the summer. Rose was an active member of the Blue Water Garden Club, Community Garden, and Quilting/Sewing Club. Ten years ago Rose and Jerry moved to The Harbor of West Okoboji to enjoy their retirement years. Rose's strength, positive attitude, and determination were an inspiration to all. Left to cherish her memory include her dearly beloved husband Jerry, daughter Jaci Long of Clarion, IA, son Justin (Sheila) Long of Grand Rapids, MI, and step-son Bryce (Nikol) Carlson of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren Karlie Sellner, Will and Harper Long, and Drew and Molly Carlson; sisters Shirley (Gary) Tiemeyer of Waukee, IA, Betty Poley of Hampton, IA, and Patsy (Steve) McDowell of Ackley, IA; and brother Terry Poley (Vicki Valley) of New Albin, IA; and brother-in-law Robert (Barb) Carlson of Salem, NC. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, and very special friends Mitch Sellner and Nicole Jones of Spencer. Rose was preceded in death by her parents, many aunts and uncles, and several cousins.

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