Eleanor Rose

Mrs. Eleanor Rose, age 89, passed away Fri. Sept. 5, 2008 at home. She was born Oct. 3, 1918 in Pomona, Tennesee to Charles and Alma (Loshbough) Hembree. Eleanor spent her childhood in Crossville, Tennessee, attending school and playing girl's basketball in high school. Her father owned Hembree Country Store, which was a local meeting place for many. During the summer of 1934, at age 16, Eleanor met the "love of her life", Jack, while visiting relatives in Michigan. Four months later, on Christmas day, Jack and Eleanor were married at home in Crossville. They moved to Michigan, and spent the next 73 years devoted to one another. He preceded her in death on October 22, 2007. As a young mother, Eleanor spent much of her time nurturing her three sons, volunteering for the Red Cross, selling war bonds, teaching Sunday School, being a den mother, and enjoying bridge club. When her sons were older, she graduated from Muskegon Business College and was employed at the Muskegon Bank and Trust Co. as assistant head bookkeeper for 23 years. She also served as financial manager of F. Jack Rose Construction Co. their family business. Eleanor was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Muskegon, Michigan and after moving to Dubuque, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Eleanor's beauty, grace and kindness were awe inspiring. She was a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. SURVIVORS: sons: Dr. Craig (Cheryl) Rose of Dubuque, IA, Michael (Janet) Rose of Vero Beach, Florida; Daughters-in-law: Walda (Glen) Sylvester of Lima, Montana, Gretchen Rose of Vero Beach, Florida; Grandchildren: Eleanor Rose of Elkhart, Indiana, Charles (Sarna) Rose of Bozeman, Montana Carolyn (David) Ascher of Wayne, Indiana, Elizabeth (Gary) Rose-Tolstedt of Dubuque, IA, Emily (Steven) Riedell of Mason, Ohio, Michael (Mary) Rose of Vero Beach, Florida, Meghan Rose of Vera Beach, Florida, Tasha (Francesco Gillia) Sylvester of Lima, Montana; Sister: Viola Rhea (Thomas) North on Chattanooga, Tennessee; Great grandchildren: Kara Zook, Matthew Rose, Madison and Lauren Ascher, Emily, Spencer and Evelyn Rose-Tolstedt, Nicholas and Monica Riedell, Kaylin and Aiden Rose, Glen Romano, Mathilda and Chiara Gillia. She was preceded in death by: Parents, 1 son, Fay Charles "Jack'' Rose, 1 sister, Frances Neal. SERVICE: 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. VISITATION: 9:45 a.m. -10:45 a.m. Thursday at the Church. Special Thank You: Pastors Arnold Flater and Joan Haug, Dr. Brian Sullivan & Tracy, Hospice of Dubuque, Care at Home, TLC, and Elizabeth for their personal care and love. MEMORIALS: Eleanor Rose Memorial Fund.