Rose Fenske, 95

Nov. 13, 1929 -

Sept. 27, 2025

 

Rose Fenske, age 95, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, at the Evans Memorial Home, which had been her home since May 2016.

Rosella Geraldine Opat was born on November 13, 1929, in Howard County, on a farm in the Lime Springs, Iowa, area.  She was the daughter of Frank Joseph and Elisa Olena (Dybevik) Opat.  She attended country school and graduated from the 8th grade. In 1977, she received her GED certificate. 

On January 11, 1947, Rose and William John Fenske were united in marriage at the First Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa.  To this union ten children were born: Shirley, Linda, Betty Lou, Dale, Barbara, Floyd, John, Rick, Connie and Dan. She thoroughly loved caring for her large family.

In June 1947, the Cresco VFW Auxiliary 4561 was instituted.  Rosella was one of the 28 charter members.  She held numerous positions in her many years as an active member. She was also a member of First Lutheran Church in Cresco.

Family and friends were very important to her. There was always plenty of room for anyone to pull up another chair around the big oak dining room table. There was always time to share a cup of coffee and conversation.  Music was always a big part of her life; she enjoyed both singing and dancing.  She especially liked listening to the Polka Show on Cresco’s local radio station on Saturday mornings.  Rosella enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, crocheting, sewing, reciting poetry and feeding the birds. She was very artistic. She had a great sense of humor and was quick to share it with those around her.

Survivors include her children: Shirley McKinley, Linda Hovey (Darwin), Betty Lou (Allen) Leitz, Dale (Candy) Fenske, Barbara (Dale) Lickteig, Connie (Dale) Burnikel and Dan Fenske.  She is also survived by a brother Lester Opat, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband William J. Fenske, three sons: Floyd, John and Rick, son-in-law John McKinley, granddaughter Sarah (McKinley) Gjere, parents Frank and Elisa Opat, father-in-law and mother in-law Henry Thomas and Ruth Della Fenske, four brothers: Arthur, Raymond, Frank and William and three sisters: Mary, Irene and Lillian. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Howard County Community Hospice, Evans Senior Living Community or the Cresco VFW Auxiliary.

A sincere thank you to the staff at the Evans Senior Living Community and Howard County Community Hospice for the loving care and compassion that Rose received.  

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Cresco.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church on Tuesday morning and continue until the time of services. Schmelzer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.