Rose Marie Mcmichael

Rose Marie McMichael passed away Jan. 15, 2014, at her home after a two and a half year battle with ovarian cancer.

Rose was born Dec. 21, 1938, in North Platte, Neb., to Cecil B. and Fern E. (Owen) Middleton. She spent her childhood years in North Platte, graduated from North Platte High School in 1957 and attended Doane College in Nebraska for one year. Following that, she attended business school in Denver for a year. Education was an important part of her life and she later attended Walla Walla Community College, taking interior design and two years of nursing, among many other courses.

Rose married her high school sweetheart, Joseph D. McMichael, on Aug. 30, 1959, in North Platte, Neb. They moved to Moscow, Idaho, where Joe was attending college. Her job as a secretary for the University of Idaho helped pay the bills while Joe earned his engineering degree. After his graduation, Joe’s job took them to California for one year and then to Walla Walla, where they have made their home since.

Rose is survived by her husband, Joseph; children, Deborah Enerson of Jacksonville, Fla., Diane McMichael of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Karen McMichael of Walla Walla; seven grandchildren, Daniel (Melissa) Haan, Robert Enerson, Maxine Enerson, David Enerson, Kirstin Fitzsimmons, Jessica Price and Katherine Rose McMichael; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving her is a sister, Norma (Harold) Rolff of Oakhurst, Calif.; brother, Cecil B. (Vera) Middleton of Bozeman, Mont.; and brother and sister-in-laws, Gary and Mary Jane McMichael of Walla Walla. A sister, Mary White of Phoenix, Ariz.; and an infant brother, Dennis, preceded her in death.

Rose was a devout Christian and had many special friends throughout the Christian community. She was especially close to her sister-in law, Mary Jane, because of their common beliefs and love to study the Bible. She was a Bible study fellowship leader for many years and was at all times in one or more Bible studies. An active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church she was generous with her time and energy, holding offices in many of the church’s organizations. Concern for her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s relationship and love for Jesus Christ was always on her mind.

Rose was active in P.E.O, Chapter FT, holding many offices and positions. She loved painting and as an Art Club member of Carnegie Art Center she served as a docent, taking art to area schools and explaining it to the students. She was a past member of the Walla Walla Country Club, belonging to Club Nine and serving with Joe in chairing golf tournaments and other events.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, the Shriners Hospital for Children or Walla Walla Community Hospice through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.