Betty Darlene Rose

August 5, 1931 - January 30, 2017

Darlene Rose, age 85 of Knoxville, Iowa died Monday, January 30th, 2017, at West Ridge Specialty Care. The daughter of J.K. and Ruby (Dabb) Rodgers, Darlene was born August 5th, 1931 west of Pleasantville near the small town of Kimbel, Iowa. Darlene moved to Attica in 1942. She graduated from Attica High School, Class of 1949. On November 24th, 1949 Darlene and Richard (Dick) Lee Rose were united in marriage in Bussey, IA. They shared 65 years together and were blessed with three children: Diane, Debbie, and Darl. As a homemaker, Darlene loved all aspects of living on the farm and everything that comes with being a farm wife on Long Lane. Darlene loved her family and raising her children. She enjoyed gardening, camping, visiting, meeting new people and was an active member of the Attica United Methodist Church. As her family got older, she began working at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital, then Sears, Griffin’s Nursing Home, and especially appreciated the time when she and Dick worked closely with Dick’s brother Randall and sister-in-law Dorothy at Avery’s Hardware. Darlene shared her love of family and homemaking with many others as a Home Interiors design consultant. After Dick retired, they had more opportunities to travel and made trips to Florida to visit her brother Doyle and wife, Ellie, and Jack and Betty Reed. When at home in Knoxville, they spent many, many wonderful hours with brother Donnie and wife Marie, visiting about families and their years growing up. After moving to Knoxville, Dick and Darlene transferred their membership to the First United Methodist Church. They made and maintained many friendships through the church. Darlene relished working at the Almost Free Shop alongside their dear friends. Darlene is survived by her two daughters: Diane (Terry) Lambirth of Attica, Debbie (Doug) Phipps of Knoxville, one son: Darl (Karen) Rose of Attica, one brother: Donald (Marie) Rodgers of Knoxville. Darlene is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Julie Lambirth, Kelly (Corey) Knudson, Kristen (Dan) Graves, Abby (Sonny) Prichard, Brianna (Seth) Poffenbarger, Glen Rose, and Seth Rose, and five great grandchildren: Henry Phipps Knudson, Beau Lee Prichard, Addison Rose Crozier Poffenbarger, Marie Elise Graves, and Marley Joann Prichard. Darlene is preceded in death by her husband Dick, her parents, two grandsons: Nathan Ryan Lambirth, and Alex Judson Lambirth, two brothers: Dale Rodgers, Doyle (Elinor) Rodgers, and sister-in-law Betty Reed. A memorial has been established in Darlene’s memory to the First United Methodist Church KNIA Radio Ministry.