Rosa Lee (Stowell) Vogel 1938 - 2002

Rosa Lee Stowell Vogel was born to George S. and Angie Stowell in Independence on November 8, 1938. She was an only child.

She grew up in Independence and graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1958.

She married George A. Vogel on September 6, 1963. The couple made their home in Raytown before moving to rural Deepwater in 1969. Since that time Rosie and George made their home on their farm in rural Deepwater.

Rosie died Saturday evening, August 10, 2002, at her home with her family present.

George and Rosie had six children, Terry, Sherry, Kelly, Steve, Robert and Jennifer. Tragically, Robert and Jennifer were taken from the family on April 22, 1974. with Rosie's strong determination and will, alongside her husband, George, she managed to pull the family together in spite of their loss and raise, not only their remaining children, but many others who affectionately knew her as "Mom".

During her lifetime, Rosie devoted much of her time to her family and was considered an excellent housewife and mother. When her sons were young, Rosie was a den mother for Cub Scouts. She also had many other skills outside the home. In the early 1970s, she assisted her husband in owning and operating the Clinton Coast To Coast store and later managing the Kerr-McGee Service Station, also in Clinton. She also worked at Unitog and Felhoelter's Dairy Farm. In the late 1980s, at the age of 50, Rosie began a new career as she entered nursing school at State Fair Community College and successfully graduated and became an LPN in 1989. From there she worked at Westwood Nursing Home and Truman Lake Manor where she retired in October 2000.

A talented musician, Rosie could play beautiful piano and often volunteered her talent at church, local Bible schools, senior centers, nursing homes and several of the Deepwater dinner theatres. She was known as someone who could play any piece of music, many times solely by ear. Rosie played the organ, accordion, guitar and violin.

Another talent Rosie enjoyed was gardening, which she dearly loved. Some of Rosie's favorite times were spent in her garden. Her loving touch in her garden blessed many tables with fresh grown vegetables. Upon her passing, Rosie was the current president of the Prairie Queen Garden Club of Appleton City.

Rosie was a religious woman and was an active member of the Community of Christ Church of Clinton. In August 1999, Rosie was ordained in the church as a teacher.

Rosie is survived by her husband of 38 years, George Vogel, of the home; her mother, Angie Stowell, Independence; two daughters, Sherry Vogel Thatcher and her husband Darrell, Sherwood, Oregon, and Kelly Anderson and her husband Leonard, Deepwater; two sons, Terry Vogel and his wife, Hye Oklahoma, Chilhowee, and Steve Vogel and his wife Melanie, Deepwater, and a sister-in-law, Tessie Vogel, Appleton City. Grandchildren include Brian Vogel, Jamie Meyer, Tim Vogel, Ryan Houk, Jodie Vogel, Debbie Vogel and Lauren Vogel. Great-grandchildren include Hunter and Dominc Meyer. Rosie was preceded in death by her father, George S. Stowell, and children, Robert and Jennifer Vogel.

Rosie touched the hearts of everyone who knew her. Her caring smile, free spirit and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. While she leaves a void in all of our lives, her memory will be cherished and will remain in our hearts forever.

Arrangements were being handled by Park Lawn Funeral Home. Services were held at the Community of Christ Church on Wednesday, August 14. Internment was at Appleton City Cemetery.