"Deb I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. It was obvious how much you loved her by your many visits and I enjoyed hearing the stories of her humor. I know what a great advocate you were for her. What an interesting woman. Peace to you and your family. Beth (co-worker)"
In loving memory of
Rose Marie Smith
July 7, 1926 - October 27, 2022
Rose Marie was 96, born July 7, 1926, in Sioux City, Iowa and a resident of North Pole, Alaska. She was a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Fonda, Iowa and St Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll Iowa. Rosemarie worked as a nurse well into her 80's before retiring.
Rose Marie passed away peacefully on October 27, 2022. She is survived by her daughters, Janette Coil of Roseville, MN. Debbie Terrones of Ames, Iowa, Annette Smith of Springdale, AR, daughter in law Jane Smith (Brian), sons Dennis (Lorraine) of Bakersfield, CA and John (Yvonne) of Greensboro, NC. She has 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Also, the children and grandchildren of Ben Winkler. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert M. Smith and her second husband Ben Winkler, her son Brian M. Smith and her daughter Carolyn R. Smith and a great granddaughter Savannah Bezdicek as well as her parents Frank and Margaret Brisbois, brother Jack Brisbois and, sister-in-law Mary Ann. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews on the Brisbois and Smith side.
Rose Marie leaves behind many good friends and co-workers in North Pole and Fairbanks, AK.
Known as "Rose Bud" to many, Rose Marie loved her family, her Catholic faith and always wanted to be sure everyone was "doing alright". She had a contagious sense of humor; she was generous and without a doubt loved life to the fullest. Although she was born in Iowa, and always said it was "too damn cold" there, she visited Alaska, fell in love with it and made it her permanent resident for 30 years, living in North Pole in a log cabin, without running water for years. When her children would call her in the middle of winter, with temperatures 40 below zero in North Pole, dark all day and say Mom you have to come down south for the winter, she would respond; "I have the fire burning, a stack of books to read and endless John Wayne movies to watch". She was also born to be a nurse with a selfless, serving nature, committed to helping, comforting and making others' lives better.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Fonda at 9:30 on November 7th with Mass following at 10:30 and burial at Mt Zion Cemetery. Services will be followed by a Celebration of Rose Marie's life luncheon at the KC Hall on Main St.
The Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Fonda and St Nicholas church in North Pole Alaska.