Rose Marie Daniels

When reflecting on the life of Rose Marie Daniels, words such as loving, compassionate, and talented come to mind, however, perhaps the word that paints the most vivid picture of her is selfless. Whether she was serving her family, those she came into contact with through her work, or those she served within the community, she was generous beyond compare. A loving wife and devoted mother, Rose Marie took these roles to heart, but she just may have argued that nothing was sweeter than becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother. Never one to let life get the best of her, she was strong, courageous, and resilient with a strong moral compass that shaped her everyday life. Although she will be deeply missed, Rose Marie leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on.

Although things were looking better by the time the 1930s were drawing to a close, America had still taken a huge hit as the Great Depression covered our nation throughout the entire decade. It was also as this decade was coming to an end that John J. and Esther Helen (Barker) Snepp were thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Rose Marie, on July 17, 1939, in Warsaw, Indiana. She was the oldest of four children to be raised in their home in rural Whitley County outside of South Whitley as she was joined in her family by her siblings, Violet, Lynnette, and John.

From a young age Rose Marie was a bustle of activity and a lover of life. She played the clarinet and saxophone in the school band and was also on the basketball team. Rose Marie enjoyed roller skating, however, an accident at the roller rink left her without her front teeth! She was a hard worker as she had a paper route that covered Chauncey Street in Columbia City. Rose Marie also did some babysitting, worked as a candy striper at a nursing home, and was also a car hop at the drive-in in South Whitley while also holding down her studies at South Whitley High School. Just after graduating, she spent some time working as a telephone operator.

It was while in high school that Rose Marie met the young man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Doyle Bowers, and he was two years her senior and serving in the military. They began dating, and shortly after Rose Marie graduated in 1957 they were married. Together they were blessed with the births of four children including Brian, Brent, Laura, and Lisa, whom they raised on a farm just outside of town. Rose Marie kept busy around the farm, milking their cows by hand. As a family, they attended the United Church of Christ in Collamer where Rose Marie was actively involved with the youth group. In addition, she served as a den mother when her boys were part of the Boy Scouts. In addition to caring for her family, Rose Marie worked at Stumps Printing in South Whitley.

After retiring from Stumps, Rose Marie moved out to Big Piney, Wyoming, to be closer to her son, Brent. This proved to be quite a fateful move as it was while there that she fell in love with his next door neighbor, Russell H. Daniels. Deeply in love, the sweethearts were married on November 7, 1987. With an exciting new life in Wyoming, Rose Marie began working at Big Piney High School. Russell also introduced her to the exciting world of camping in the mountains, fishing, hunting. Rose Marie also took her love for sewing to a new level and started making quilts. The couple was very social and often hosted Super Bowl parties where she always wowed their guests with her amazing cooking. Among her most requested dishes was her pot roast and beef and noodles. Rose Marie and Russell also went snow machining and belonged to a local club.

Once Rose Marie and Russell retired from the school in 1998, they continued to live fully. They traveled to Yellowstone and other places before buying some land in Table Rock Lake, Missouri for their retirement home. Their joy quickly turned to sorrow shortly after their home was completed as Russell was diagnosed with leukemia. He later passed away in September of 2001, which was another devastating blow for Rose Marie as her son, Brent, died in 1996. She soon moved back to Whitley County and then moved to Columbia City in 2002. Back home, Rose Marie enjoyed going to Jellystone Campground and catching up with high school friends. She continued making quilts, enjoyed volunteering at Parkview Whitley Hospital, and was a very active bowler who even went to state and national competitions several times.

Always one to be social, Rose Marie was a very significant part of her community. She was a lifelong and active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 98 in Columba City. In 2008, Rose Marie was selected to be president of the group, which she was thrilled about. She served as their chairman many times and also as secretary and chaplain. Rose Marie had a special interest in the children affiliated with the Soldiers and Sailors Childrens Home and diligently worked as the Veterans Affairs chairman in remembering local veterans as well as those in the VA Hospitals and at the Lafayette Solders Home as well. Of course spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews was a favorite, and when she couldnt be with them, Rose Marie had fun keeping up with everyone by reading the paper to see how their games and events would go and keeping up with them on the social media including Facebook. Throughout her life, she enjoyed her life to the fullest. Among the other, she enjoyed dancing and listening to country western gospel music and was an IU fan as well as a Peyton Manning fan, despite his move from the Indianapolis Colts the Denver Broncos.

All who knew Rose Marie Daniels would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was the heartbeat of wherever she was and the party planner in her family with amazing skills in the kitchen, too. Rose Maries heart was as endless as the sky is blue, and she loved to care for others in ways both great and small. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Rose Marie Daniels, 76, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 9:04 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne. Survivors include her daughters, Laura (Greg) Hinen, of Columbia City and Lisa (Sy) Musi, of Orland; son, Brian Bowers, of South Whitley; sisters, Violet (Richard) McNeal and Lynnette Mossburg, both of Columbia City; brother, John Snepp, of South Whitley; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; special friend, Lewie Wilson and many loving nieces and nephews. Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russell Daniels; and son, Brent Bowers.

Visitation is Wednesday, April 13, 2016 from 2-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest by her husband Russell. Memorial gifts may be given in her memory to the Ronald McDonald House at Parkview Hospital. To send her family condolences on-line, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .