Obit: Lee, Rose L. (1935 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Lee, Gempeler, Bartlome, Wayne, Shoemaker, Bentz, Roemhild, Metcalf, Nell, Coffin

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 19 Nov 2014

Lee, Rose L. (31 MAY 1935 – 15 NOV 2014)

Rose L. Lee, 79, Menomonie, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 20, at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie. Rev. Geoff Scott will officiate. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran/Halvorson Cemetery in Menomonie. There will be visitation from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Olson Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Rose Gempeler was born on May 31, 1935, in Loyal, to Werner and Emma (nee Bartlome) Gempeler. They lived above a cheese factory in Loyal that her dad owned for 14 years. Later they moved to a home outside of Loyal. Rose graduated from Loyal High School. She then went on to nurse’s training at Luther Hospital School of Nursing in Eau Claire and graduated in June 1956. Rose married Harold Lee on Aug. 31, 1957 in Eau Claire. After graduating as a nurse, she then worked at Luther Hospital in the obstetrics department for a year and a half. Rose took the next 12 years off to raise her kids. During those 12 years off, they lived in Osseo for two years, Barron for 9 1/2 years, and then moved to Menomonie. Rose went to work at the American Lutheran Home in January 1970. She worked there for 9 1/2 years, then took three months off and started work at Memorial Hospital. Four months after Rose started there, they moved to another location and became Myrtle Werth Medical Center. Rose worked in medical surgery for 20 years and then went to Day Surgery for six years. In all of Rose’s years of being a nurse, she loved every minute of it. Rose’s nursing career spanned almost 50 years.

Rose loved watching ball games. In the spring and summer she watched softball and baseball. In the fall she watched football and volleyball and in winter she watched basketball. Rose enjoyed watching anytime, but especially when her grandchildren were playing. Rose loved to do crossword puzzles. She did them daily in the newspaper. She also enjoyed cross-stitching in earlier years. Rose was active in volunteering at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie. She was a member of the CLCW Quilting Group and also helped out with the Sunshine Group. Rose often helped take care of the homebound elderly. She was a volunteer at the Mayo Clinic Health System. She was recognized for dedication and service to the medical center, its patients and the community.

Rose is survived by a son, Bob (Julie) Lee, Menomonie; three daughters, Sharon (Steve) Wayne, Chippewa Falls, Janet (Kevin) Shoemaker, Menomonie, and Joanne (John) Bentz, Viroqua; 10 grandchildren, Jordan (Brenda) Lee, Trenton Lee, Afton (Michael) Roemhild, Eric (Trinity) Wayne, Mathew (Deanna Metcalf) Wayne, Cory Wayne, Nate (Miranda) Wayne, Megan Shoemaker, Amanda Bentz and Tyler Bentz; six great-grandchildren, Cadence, Carter, Casen and Camden Lee and Peyton and Trysta Wayne; a brother, Erwin Gempeler, Richfield; a sister, Katherine Nell, Brookfield; a brother-in-law, James (MaryAnn) Lee, Clearwater, Fla.; and nieces and nephews and many Swiss relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Lee; her parents; a sister-in-law, Lila Lee; a brother-in-law, Stan Coffin; a sister-in-law, Marion Coffin; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Nell.

Memorials are suggested to American Red Cross, Mayo Clinic Hospice or the MHS Sports Complex.

Olson Funeral Home of Menomonie is assisting the family with arrangements.