Rose, Esther L. Shunk

Esther L. Shunk Rose, 94, passed away March 5, 2012, in Walla Walla, Wash. A memorial service was held March 9 in Walla Walla. Private family inurnment: Mountain View Cemetery.

Born in Marion, Iowa, to Raymond H. and Cecil I. Shunk, she attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. She married Orval T. Rose in 1936 in Cedar Rapids; they were married 66 years. The Roses lived and farmed in Miller, S.D., and Marion, retiring in 1960, moving to Seeley Lake, Mont., wintering in Palm Springs, Calif. They moved to Walla Walla in 1972. After her husband's death, she moved to Wheatland Village and lived there for seven years until the time of her death.

Esther was a homemaker who enjoyed crafts and was a lifetime Card Club member.  Esther especially enjoyed playing rumicube and cards with special friends in Wheatland Village.  She and her husband traveled extensively in their retirement: Australia, Hawaii, Europe, Japan and the Mediterranean.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Schmatt, Walla Walla; son, Stewart (Marilyn) Rose, Great Falls, Mont.; daughter-in-law, Miko Rose, Walla Walla; four grandchildren, Mike (Julie) Schmatt, Sara Huxoll, Leah Rose-Goodwin (Colin) and Bryce (Shannon); and 11 great-grandchildren, Laura Henderson, Phillip, Morgan and Jessica Schmatt; McKenzie, Meagan, Mia Huxoll, Tristan, Mira Goodwin, Caden and Parker Rose.

Her parents preceded her in death, along with her husband, and son, Steven A. Rose.

Published March 11, 2012 in The Gazette