BELL, Rose (1895-2006)

BELL, EICHMEIER, LEWIS, ETCHEN, GORDON, MARCHAND

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 7/2/2013 at 14:27:03

Rose Bell, 110, a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, formerly of Klemme, died peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2006, at the Belmond Health
Care Center, where she had lived an active and vibrant life since January 2001.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 20, 2006, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme, with the Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Andrews Funeral Home of
Klemme was in charge of the arrangements.

Rose Etchen was born to John and Elizabeth (Eichmeier) Etchen on August 22, 1895, on a farm in Twin Lake Township, Hancock County. She was the fifth of six children. Rose attended rural schools through the eighth grade and spent
much of her youth working on the farm where she grew up.

Rose was united in marriage to Henry Lewis on November 26, 1914, in Garner. Henry and Rose owned and worked at the Lewis Produce Store in Klemme together. After Henry ("Heinie") died in 1944, Rose continued to operate the business herself, until she sold the store to Fred Bell in 1946.

Rose and Fred were married on September 22, 1946. The couple continued to run the business until retirement in 1978.

Rose was a hard worker throughout her entire life. She was a meticulous housekeeper and loved to garden. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking cookies and making sure there was something sweet to go with coffee when she had visitors.

Her love for others continued to shine through even in her years at the care center where she greeted the staff and other residents with a warm welcome and friendly smile.

Rose crocheted and did other handicraft work, creating heirlooms for her family to enjoy. Those who knew her will remember her as a hard working,
caring and dignified lady who carried herself in a vibrant and meticulous manner until the very end of her life's journey.

Survivors include her son, Duard Lewis, and wife, Mildred of Logan, New Mexico; two step-daughters, Julia Gordon of Rowan and Ruth Marchand of Clear
Lake; one step-son, Frederick O. Bell and wife, Lula of Klemme; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Henry and Fred; daughter, Eva Mae; a sister, Lillian; and four brothers, Louis, Albert, Fred and Jack.