Rose Mina Simmons, 88, of Manhattan, Kansas, died September 28, 2023 at Wellsprings of Westmoreland, Kansas.
Born in Clay Center, Kansas on February 28, 1935 to Harvey Louis Oetinger and Alice Lennea (Berggren) Oetinger, Rose Mina attended Morganville School and subsequently earned a 2-year teaching degree at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. She taught third grade at WaKeeney for two years before her intended Norman Simmons drew her to finish her Bachelor’s in Education at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas.
Norman & Rosie married in Morganville, Kansas on June 23, 1957. In Texas where Norman was finishing his Masters, she taught school and they welcomed their son Christopher. Jennifer joined the family in Hays, Kansas, while Susan followed in Scranton, Kansas. In addition to being a busy mom, she had many jobs as she followed Norman from church to church. She taught English at K-State in Manhattan and was a school librarian in both Independence, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas.
Rosie and Norm retired to Manhattan, Kansas where she enjoyed volunteering for the Flint Hills Breadbasket, Via Christi Hospital, and Friendship Meals.
Rosie was devoted to God and her church communities at White City United Methodist Church and Church of Our Savior United Methodist Church in Junction City.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Lennea Nikkel. She is survived by her husband Norm, son Christopher Simmons (Robyn Speidel), daughter Jennifer Wheelock (A. Tobey), and daughter Susan Byrne (Timothy), six grandchildren: Elijah, Rex, Elise, Lee, Amanda and Melanie; two great grandchildren: Grayson and Max; and two siblings: Bill Oetinger (Grace) of Clay Center, KS, and Ann Parr of Lenexa, KS.
Rosie chose to donate her body to further scientific research at KU Med Center.
The Celebration of Life is 10:30 AM, Friday, October 6 at Yorgensen Meloan Londeen Funeral Home, Manhattan, with Reverend Dr. Dennis Ackerman officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Church of our Savior United Methodist Church in Junction City, or White City United Methodist Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.
