The Nebraska Signal
01 March 2000
Francis Deane Rose was born to James Arthur and Nora Ann Lynch Rose on April 7, 1924 at Fairmont. He passed away Feb. 18, 2000 at the Wilber Care Center in Wilber at the age of 75 years, 10 months, 11 days. He was the youngest of two children in the family.
He grew up in Fairmont and as soon as he was able to go to town by himself he went to "Moyle Garage" and always crawled under a vehicle and asked the mechanic what he was doing and why. They gave him the nickname of "Squak," which he went by the rest of his life and many people never knew his real name.
He went to Fairmont Public School and would have graduated in the class of 1942, but quit school to work in a garage.
On Nov 4, 1942, he enlisted in the Army of the United States serving in Southern France, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the good conduct medal, three overseas bars, European-African-middle Easter Ribbon with five bronze stars. He was honorably discharged Nov. 1, 1945.
He started to work for W.W. Harrington as a mechanic while still in school and started helping on the wrecker service in 1940. He also worked for Trumble Chevrolet Company when Mr. and Mrs. Trumble purchased the automotive business from W.W. Harrington in 1951. He and Della purchased the business from Trumble Chevrolet in 1967, running the business as Crossroads GMC Motors. He sold the business in 1990.
He was married to Della L. Keil on May 28, 1947, and to this union four children were born, Judy, Jann, twins William and Beverly.
He joined the Presbyterian Church as a young boy and was a member of the Fairmont Community Church at the time of his death. He joined the Geneva Samuel J. Marsh VFW Post No. 7102 and the lt. Earl Forbes American Legion Post No. 21 in Fairmont when he returned from the service. He served in all offices of the Legion and enjoyed all Legion activities. He received his Life membership award on July 6, 1994. He joined the Fairmont Fire Department in 1947, and helped organize the Rescue Unit Squad in 1958, serving on the Department until 1992. He was Fillmore County Civil Defense Director in the e 80’s, and belonged to the Fairmont Chamber of Commerce from 1967 until 1990.
Squak’s life was centered around automotive and wrecker service and he spent many long hours on wrecker calls. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. He entered Fairview Manor Nursing Home on April 6, 1995, and moved to Wilber Care Center may 25,1995. While at the nursing home he was a great outdoors person and never stopped walking or doing something until about nine months ago. He even had his own garden of potatoes, onions and tomatoes for three years, while at the care home.
He received the Good Neighbor Award from AkSarBen Knights of Columbus on May 25, 1995.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Nora; by his sister Alice M. Rose.
He is survived by his wife, Della of Fairmont; daughters, Judy and husband Paul Vacek of Papillion, Jann and Dr. John Morrison of Littleton, Colo.; sons William and wife Cindy of Austin, Texas; daughter Beverly and husband Dennis Buhr of Beatrice; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Vacek, Christopher Vacek, Jamin Morrison, Ian Morrison, David Hunter, Dana Buhr, Coby Buhr, Kyle Buhr and Alex Buhr; two great grandchildren, Live and Rianne Hunter.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000 from the Fairmont Community Church with Rev. Betsy Gallaway-Carew officiatting. Nancy Jo Galusha accompanied Greg Rehm who sang "How Great Thou Art’ and "Whispering Hope."
Casket bearers were Steve Cantrell, Thomas Hassler, Howard Lefler, Butch Long, Butch Pankoke, and Richard D. Smith. Military honors by Lt. Forbes Fairmont American Legion Post No. 21 were conducted outside the church with interment in the Fairmont Public Cemetery to by held privately at a later date.
Memorials are directed to: Fairmont Senior Center, Fairmont Legion, Fairmont Fire and Rescue or the Fairmont community Church.
Arrangements in charge of Farmer & Son Funeral Home.
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CARD OF THANKS
The family of Francis D. Rose extends their sincere thanks to all those who have expressed their sympathy in so many ways: Pastor Betsy Gallaway-Carew for her words of comfort and support, Lt. Forbes American Legion Post No. 21 for the Military Honors after the services, organist Nancy Jo Galusha and vocalist Greg Rehm, the ladies of the UMW Church, American Legion Auxiliary and Star Rebekah Lodge No. 8 for serving the dinner and lunch the day of the service. Our sincere thanks and appreciation to those of you who sent flowers, memorials, cards, and food or telephoned at the time of Francis’ passing. All of your kindness is deeply appreciated and will be remembered fondly.
DELLA ROSE,
JUDY AND PAUL VACEK AND FAMILY,
JANN AND DR. JOHN MORRISON AND FAMILY,
WILLIAM AND CINDY ROSE,
BEVERLY AND DENNIS BUHR AND FAMILY