Rose Marie (Boyle) Rockafellow

ROCKAFELLOW, BOYLE, APEL, ECKERMANN, ZOLL, JONES, LINK, TORGERSON, BOHL, AMUNDSON, TRUE, MILLS, ASKILDSON

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 6/7/2012 at 09:56:48

Rose Marie (Boyle) Rockafellow, 85, of Iowa City died peacefully on Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 in her home.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 7th from 6 – 8 pm at Lensing Funeral Home 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City. A funeral mass will be held Friday, June 8th, at 10:00 am at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church 603 E. Davenport St. Iowa City, IA. A luncheon provided by the Altar and Rosary Society will follow the service in the church basement and continue after the cemetery service. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery 1122 N. Dodge St.

Rose was born to James and Rose Boyle in Austin, Minnesota on December 9, 1926. The daughter of a railroad man, Rose grew up throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, before landing in Mason City, IA. There, she graduated from Holy Family High School.

In 1947, Rose met her husband after his service during WWII. She was working as a saleswoman for Damon’s Women’s Clothing Store, a waitress at Ford Hopkins, and a ticket seller at the movie theater in Mason City. She married her husband of (64) years, Irving “Rocky” Rockafellow, on August 19, 1948 in Mason City. After they married, Rose worked for a short while as a telephone operator in Sheffield, IA until they started their family. They raised 13 children together.

In 1967, the family moved to Iowa City, Iowa and Rose went back to work when her youngest child began first grade. She was employed as a telecommunications switchboard operator for the University of Iowa and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Rose was a loving wife and mother; she centered her life around her children, her family, and her faith. Being surrounded by her 15 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren gave her special joy. Rose also enjoyed cheering on the Hawkeyes, collecting dolls, baking, and shopping for a good bargain.

Rose’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Mercy Hospital ER, 4C, 3C Skilled, Dr. Moonjely and Iowa City Hospice and their devoted and compassionate staff.

She is survived by her husband, Irving “Rocky” Rockafellow and their children: Lynn Apel, Patrick (Novelette) Rockafellow, Ramona (Chuck) Eckermann, Suzette (Joe) Zoll, Paulette (Terry) Jones, Michael Rockafellow, Kathleen (Dave) Link, Tim (Kim) Rockafellow, Tom Rockafellow, Mary Rockafellow, Jack Rockafellow, Bill (Amie) Rockafellow; 15 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren; Two sisters Virginia Torgerson, Sandra Bohl, a sister-in-law Suzie Boyle, sister and brother-in-laws Dean (Marilyn) Rockafellow, Mary Lou (Leonard) Amundson, (Joan) Rockafellow and many nieces and nephews.

Rose was preceded in death by her youngest son Todd Rockafellow, her parents James and Rose Boyle, 4 sisters Clara, Shirley, Joyce, and Mildred, 3 brothers James, Edward and Frances and 5 brother-in-laws Carl True, James Mills, Robert Askildson, Glenn “Torgy” Torgerson and Darwin “Skip” Bohl; her father and mother-in-law Lawrence and (Mary Lou) Rockafellow and brother-in-law Dale Rockafellow.