Rose Conner

ROSE CONNER

Cedar Rapids

Rose Marie (Dvorak) Conner passed away March 20, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center.

Rose was born Feb. 21, 1920, on her family farm near Garner, Iowa. She was the daughter of John J. Dvorak and Emma I. (Hanzlick) Dvorak. John came from Czechoslavokia in the early 1900s. Emma also was Czech, but was born here. When Rose was born, the doctor told Emma there was little hope for the tiny infant. Her mother wouldn't give up on "Rosie." She kept her in a small dresser drawer on the wood-burning Cook stove's warming oven's door.

Rosie "lived" 94 years.

Rose was a licensed beautician. She and her sister, Helen Turnbull (husband, Roger), owned and operated their own salon in Mason City, Iowa, before they married.

Rose married Lester Norenberg and moved to the Cedar Rapids area in the early 1940s. They had three children, Cheryl Schafer (husband, Jim) of Toddville, Larry Norenberg of Marion and Merry Jo Collop (husband, Wayne) of Richland, Wash. She later divorced.

Rose remarried April 2, 1960, to Marion W. Conner, and they had one daughter, Barbara Conner (husband, John Helm) of Fairfax.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marion; brother, Frank Dvorak of Cedar Rapids (Florence); sister, Helen; and daughter, Chery.

Rose had eight grand-children and nine great-grandchildren.

Rose worked hard her entire life. She loved life, loved animals and people.

She enjoyed singing and sang until she went "Home."

Her laugh would light up a room. She was loved by many.

We will be having a celebration of Rose's life Saturday, July 26, from 2 until 6 p.m. at the home of her daughter, Barb (101 Williams Blvd., Fairfax, Iowa). Friends and family are welcome to join us. We will have some of Rose's favorite dishes. Feel free to bring a covered dish ... if you wish, but come visit.

Thanks to some special folks at Heritage who looked out for our Mom.