WOODHOUSE, Rosalie M. (MADDEN) (1918-2013)

ARENDS, BAMRICK, BELL, BRAFFORD, EGGENA, FLOY, GUNDERSON, HAMBRICK, HOGAN, MADDEN, OKTAY, SCHLADER, WOODHOUSE, YAWS

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 12/28/2020 at 00:39:30

Rosalie M. Woodhouse, 94, of Mason City died Monday (June 3, 2013) in her sleep at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30am, Friday (June 7, 2013) at Epiphany Parish-Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams, Mason City with the Reverend Rodney Allers and Reverend Kenneth Gehling concelebrating. Burial will follow in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.

A visitation with a public viewing will be held from 5 to 7pm, Thursday (June 6, 2013) at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City with a scriptural wake service beginning at 6:30pm.

Should friends desire, memorials may be left to the Rosalie M. Woodhouse Memorial Fund in care of her family or to Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd St. SE, Mason City.

Rosalie M. Woodhouse, daughter of the late Thomas and Regina Hogan Madden was born October 12, 1918 in Dougherty, Iowa. The family moved to Mason City where she attended St. Joseph School graduating in 1936. On November 5, 1937, she was united in marriage to Clay Woodhouse and to this union, three children were born, Pat, Mike, and Michelle. Rosalie shared her life with Clay for fifty years, spending most of their social time with five other local couples known as the "Terrible 10." She was the last survivor of this group whom witnessed great things, most notably was the first Catholic president election where they called the White House the night of the election congratulating Mr. Kennedy. Family was very important to her. Clay and her traveled to Texas for many years vacationing in the Valley. Rosalie persevered through her husband's death in 1989 and continued traveling to Texas and made new friends and enjoyed family there as well.

Rosalie first worked at Livdalen's Candy Store where she learned to make candy and continued for years, always trying to make it for family and friends for the holidays. Quality was something she appreciated, working as a quality inspector at the pin factory and later changed jobs working at the long standing Mason City retail stores of Lundberg's and Bergo's clothing stores in Mason City. She enjoyed people and wanted them to look their best, retiring at the age of 75.

Rosalie was a woman that would never miss a beat. In 2002, at the age of 83, she traveled overseas with family to Istanbul, Turkey. Though she was never fond of history, she enjoyed new cultures and never missed an event or celebration there. She had the opportunity to see the world renowned, Blue Mosque and explored the Palaces of Sultans, but was more interested in shopping at the Grand Bazaar. In 2006, she traveled with family to the land of her heritage Dublin, Ireland, visiting a pub or two for a whiskey and places such as the Book of Kells at Trinity University asking "Is this something religious?" and "Where's the gift shop?" Her favorite thing in life was shopping. She could have been an Olympian shopper, getting the best deal. While visiting family in Dublin, her family had to run to catch their flight at the Amsterdam Airport because Rosalie was in the gift shop browsing.

She was a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church, a member of Catholic Daughters of America, VFW Woman's Auxiliary and was a Mercy volunteer for special projects in her advanced age. She also believed in doing her civic duties by volunteering for the Cerro Gordo County Commissions of Elections.

Rosalie was always generous and thinking of others and was there for them in good times and bad. She maintained her dignity and continued to treat people respectfully till her passing. She had a great sense of humor and was always making people laugh. She will be missed by all.

Rosalie is survived by her three children, Michelle (Steve) Bell, Rockwell, Mike (Karen) Woodhouse, Nora Springs and Pat (David) Schlader, Marble Rock; grandchildren, Ryan Schlader, Rochelle Arends, Ranada Eggena, Rachel Brafford, Jennifer Gunderson, Sarah Hambrick, and Susan Yaws, Michaela Oktay, Thatcher and Coleman Bell; several great-grandchildren; brother, Tom (Eleanor) Madden, Mason City; sister, Jean (Joe) Bamrick, Rockwell; sister-in-law, Barb Madden, Kansas City along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clay; brothers, Russell, Raymond, John, and Joe Madden and sister, Mary Floy.

Source: Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel.
Transcribed with minor edits by Jennifer Gunderson, step-grandaughter. 26 Dec 2020.