Rose Henry, 94

May 20, ,1925 —
May 11, 2020
 
FORMERLY OF BLUFFTON - Rose Marie (Keefe) Henry, age 94, formerly of the Bluffton, Iowa area, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2020, at Luther Manor at Dubuque, Iowa. 
Due to Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Archdiocese, a graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at Saint Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery. If you wish to send a card to the family, send in care of Maureen Ward, 1951 South Grandview, Dubuque, IA 52003. Memorials will be given to the St. Bridget’s Cemetery Fund.
Rose was born on May 20, 1925 to William and Johanna (Mailey) Keefe on their family farm in Bluffton Township. She was baptized at Saint Bridget’s Catholic Church, Bluffton. During the early World War II years, she lived and worked near Rockford, Ill. 
Rose returned to Decorah, Iowa in 1942 and worked for several years for the J.C. Penney Company. On April 6, 1948, she was united in marriage to Gerald Henry at Saint Bridget’s Church by the Rev. George A. Mahoney. This union was blessed with six children. The family lived on their farm in Bluffton Township until the couple retired and moved closer to Decorah in 1986.
Rose will be remembered as an incredible mother and a hardworking partner to Gerald in running the family farm. She was a great friend and neighbor and a faithful member of Saint Bridget’s Parish. She was an active member of the Rosary Society, helping to organize the annual Labor Day Picnic and later serving for many years as the chair of the October dinner and raffle. 
She also worked hard raising her family to be educated and productive citizens. She was very creative, had a quick wit and a great sense of humor and was an accomplished seamstress. Rose was a great listener, loved all things Irish and made a mean banana oatmeal cookie. She loved to read, and she really loved to drive. She was the very definition of a lead foot, and family members consider it a great blessing that she was able to drive well into her nineties. “We can only hope there are cars in heaven. We love you, Mom. Peace (and drive carefully). And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Rose is survived by her children, Maureen (Michael) Ward of Dubuque, Shannon (John) Slowiaczek of Omaha, Neb., Elaine (Roger) Kaltefleiter of Parkville, Mo., Kevin (Jo) Henry of Urbandale, Iowa and Brian Henry of New Hampton, Iowa; grandchildren, Colin Ward, Monica (Andy) Winders, Brian Ward and Daniel Ward of Dubuque, Caitlin (Michael) Borge of Overland Park, Kan., Kara (John) Golian of Leawood, Kan., Anlee Slowiaczek of Chicago, Mary Kate (Cody) Blum of Charleston, S.C., Michael (Melissa) Slowiaczek of Parker, Colo., Marissa (Andy) Thomas of Kansas City, Mo.,  Jacob Kaltefleiter of Overland Park, Katrina Kaltefleiter of Omaha and Ty Kaltefleiter of Parkville, Mo.; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald on March 1, 1999; infant son, Danny; her parents; her brother, William Keefe, Jr.; a nephew, Larry Keefe; and by dear friends and adopted grandparents, Bud and Flora Bucknell.
 

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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