Rose Marie Elizabeth (Winer) Melpolder

Rose Marie Elizabeth (Winer) Melpolder, age 89, formerly of Wyoming, Michigan, passed away in Rexburg, Idaho, on June 29, 2021.

Rose was born December 25, 1931, to Catherine Schneltzer and Wenzel Winer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rose was employed by Bayshore Industries in Elkton, Maryland, where she won a beauty contest and was named Miss Bayshore 1948. She worked to become an LPN, served in the Navy (Great Lakes, Illinois) where she married her first husband, Allen Bennett, and later moved to Lowell, Michigan.

Rose was a caring mother who loved hosting family gatherings. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and canning. She was an avid reader and loved reading mysteries and western novels, especially Louis L’amour. She was a Girl Scout leader and a great salesperson.

She married her second husband, Joseph Melpolder in 1989. They enjoyed spending time at the Grand Haven Michigan State Park and playing cards with friends and family. Rose was one of the most generous, giving people. She was very mindful of others and always looked for ways to do nice things for people and animals. She had a great sense of humor and loved to keep people on their toes. She loved to sing and could remember all the lyrics to many songs.

Rose was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she was loved by all. She was especially close to the young people serving missions, many of whom considered her their adopted grandma. She was always cheerful with a ready smile and didn’t dwell on the negative.

Rose is survived by her sister, Theresa (Lou) Byers; sisters-in-law: Sydney Zainea, Brenda Husband, Sandy Winer, and Shirley Padgett. She will be greatly missed by her children: Deborah (Wayne) Clark, Pamela Walder, Edward Bennett, Donald (Michelle) Bennett, Barbara Pawson; stepdaughter, Jerilyn Melpolder; 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and counting.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents; both spouses; her siblings: John Winer, Wenzel Winer Jr., Catherine Jones, Frances Baczkowski, Mary Lou Szareko; and friend, Gerald Postema.

Rose’s sweet memory will remain forever in our hearts.

Rose was cremated and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 11 a.m. Mountain Time at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 315 Gary Drive in Rexburg, Idaho. A zoom link is available for those out of state who wish to join: https://zoom.us/j/92622844719?pwd=cmE1Nmt2WExtNFlGR1FYVzQ4OVRPdz09

Meeting ID: 926 2284 4719

Passcode: Rose