Rosemary Ward, 90, a resident of Apple Valley Place in Clear Lake, IA, died Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the MercyOne Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, IA.
A visitation with friends and family will take place from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Monday July 3, 2023, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake. In accordance with her wishes, Rosemary will be cremated and will be inurned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Central Gardens of North Iowa, 800 2nd Ave N, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
Rosemary was born February 16, 1933, at home in Clear Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Archie and Elizabeth Olsen. She was raised by her maternal grandmother in and around Clear Lake and talked of attending a one room country schoolhouse before graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1950. Rosemary married Raymond “Chan” Ward in June 1950 shortly after her graduation and they established their home in Clear Lake. They welcomed a son and daughter to their family over the course of the next several years before relocating to Kansas City, MO, where they welcomed their third child, a son. In 1958, Chan and Rosemary moved their family back to Clear Lake where they resided for the rest of their lives, first within the city limits and, later on, a farm just north of the city limits.
On the farm, Rosemary assisted with all manner of “chores” and became very active in the Clear Lake Friendly Garden Club, both attending and hosting club meetings. Also, during this time, Rosemary loved riding her bike with her good friend, Marge Erickson, often musing that they would allow themselves a stop to have a cinnamon roll but only if they rode a long enough distance.
After their children were grown and had moved out of the house, Rosemary went to work as a bookkeeper at Nelson Petroleum Company, working with their good friends, Tom and Janice Nelson. Rosemary continued working for the Nelson’s for more than a decade before retiring in 1995.
Chan and Rosemary enjoyed traveling and spending the winter months in Fort Myers Beach, FL, where they would both lay on the beach until they were nicely tanned. Rosemary also enjoyed traveling to flower shows throughout the Midwest with her friend, Janice.
Rosemary is survived by her son Douglas (Linda) Ward of Clear Lake; daughter Diane Parks of Clear Lake; son David (Jacque) of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Adam (Erin) Tyler of Mason City, Iowa, Amanda (Peter) Chidister of North Liberty, IA, Dustin (Melodee) Ward of Clear Lake, Christopher (Abigail) Ward of Glen Allen, VA, Benjamin Ward of Morristown, NJ and Casey (Rodrigo) DeSouza of Brookfield, CT; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Ivy and Avah Hogg; Abbie, Olivia, Savanah and Jack Chidister; Samuel, Eliza, Oliver, and Benjamin Ward; Alexander Ward; and Logan and Briella DeSouza.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Chan; her parents; and son-in-law, David Parks.
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