Rose Marie Ward
August 21, 1929 - December 05, 2014
Obituary
MADISON-Rose Marie Ward, age 85, of Madison, passed away on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare after a struggle with liver cancer. She was born on Aug. 21, 1929, in Melrose, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Lorraine Ward. Rose married Jim Biechler on June 21, 1968. Rose Marie joined the FSPA in 1958. She received a master of arts from Gonzaga University in 1964. Rose Marie became head teacher of an English department in a Pennsylvania public school and was a long time teacher. She met her beloved husband Jim, in 1966. Rose Marie was honored by United Way of Wisconsin for her work with HospiceCare. She thoroughly enjoyed her YMCA “Pool Pals”. Rose Marie was very active in PLATO and was also a prayer leader at St. Dennis Parish. She is survived by her husband, Jim Biechler; sisters, Genevieve Potter-Cotter, Hannah Young, Clo Barnaby; brothers, Louis, Robert and Richard Ward; many beloved nieces and nephews ; brothers-in-law, Robert, Paul and William Biechler; and sister-in-law, Marie Charron. Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Joseph and John Ward. Funeral services will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, at Noon on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, with Father Bill Nolan presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or St. Dennis Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Wed Dec 10, 2014 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Service
Wed Dec 10, 2014 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Rose have been shared yet.
Memories
G
Gail
Other •
Rose Marie was in a water aerobics class with me. I was always so impressed with her desire to just have fun with it and her delightful and caring attitude. She always had a smile on her face. She was a truly wonderful lady and she will be missed by many. My deepest sympathies to those who loved her.
Gail
CW
Clare Ward-Jenkins
Other •
Aunt Rosie was a a force of nature. I will always remember her wit, her kindness and her love of Western line dancing. She was a wonderful aunt and I wish I had spent more time with her and uncle Jim.
JV
Joan Vieira
Other •
I met Rose Marie through the PLATO group where we enjoyed bus trips to various Milwaukee and Chicago plays and museums. Most of all, we enjoyed sharing with each other during the lunches as well as during the long bus rides. Rose Marie was a very special person and I will truly miss her. My sincere sympathies, thoughts, and prayers are with her husband and family.
Sincerely, Joan Vieira
JG
Janet Grensten
Other •
l loved my Aunt Rose Marie. She was such a kind, warm women that had such a gentle strength about her. As a child she told us kids wonderful stories and was always willing to play with us. As we grew older she would give you her full attention whenever you visited with her. May the Angels lead you now into Paradise, Rose Marie
R
Rhonda
Other •
I met Rose Marie a little over a year ago in a water zumba class at the YMCA. I was immediately drawn to her lovely personality and she was always a bright spot in my week! Through our talks we learned that she had spend some time in Montana and I'm from North Dakota. We always made eye contact when a few of our more western moves were done. I will miss her tremendously and am so thankful that I was able to get to know her. Rest in peace Rose Marie.
JB
Joan Behm
Other •
Rose Marie Ward has a great history with her friendliness and charm here at the Cambridge Community Library. She was a champion of advocacy and support for this library. We became very good friends while she made Cambridge her home. She was fun, smart, and a very special woman who will always hold a spot in my heart. Joan Behm, Dir. Cambridge Comm. Library