Rose (Rosie Gooder), 90

April 2, 1935 - 

Aug. 6, 2025

 

CRESCO - Rose Ella Gooder, age 90, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away peacefully August 6, 2025, at her home in Vernon Springs.

Visitation was held at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home on Monday, August 11 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian burial was held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on August 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Jacob Rouse officiating.  One hour prior to the service a visitation will be held at the church.  A Burial followed at the Calvary Cemetery.  A luncheon to celebrate Rosie was held in the church basement following mass.

Rosie was born on April 2, 1935, to Anton and Ella (Zotika) Slifka in Howard County, Iowa and was the third of five children.  Rosie graduated from Cresco High School in 1953. She was united in marriage with Don Gooder on September 19,1953.  Through this union they had four boys, Pat, Mike, Gary, and Lee, and daughter Gay.  They enjoyed raising their family throughout 66 years of marriage.

Following their marriage, Rosie and Don began a short stint in farming and later moved to town before returning to the farm in Vernon Springs.  Rosie's crowning accomplishment was raising her children.  She always had a love of horses, enjoying a good kolache, taking care of her garden and flowers, feeding the birds, and making a good meal.  She was involved in St. Joseph parish, the Historical Society, and attending her children's, grandchildren's and great grandchildren's events.  One of her favorite things was making pancakes for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also an entrepreneur, developing, marketing, and selling "Orphan Annie" a unique system to take care of orphan lambs. She quietly supported Don through his multiple successful business endeavors and life on the farm. Following the death of Don, she rose to the occasion and became the matriarch of the family.

Rosie is survived by her sister, Yvonne,  children Patrick (Becky) Gooder of Cresco, IA and their children, Shay Gooder, Chris Gooder and family, Leo, and Judelyn, and Dakota (Bryce) Hruska and family, Arietta and Lyndy; Michael (Rachel) Gooder of Cresco, IA and their children, Abby (Dan) Inglis and family, Wyatt, Rosie and Eli, and John (Molly) Gooder and family, Ella, Mara, Nora; Gary (Sara) Gooder of Cresco, IA and their children, Sydney Gooder and children, Paxton and Summer, Josie (Brian) Hrdlicka and family, Maelyn, Jentry and Presley, and Sierra Gooder, Lee (Jill) Gooder of Cresco, IA and their children Shelley (Joe) Marshall and family Kennedy and Lakelyn and Zach (Katie) Gooder and family, Autumn and Ailyn; and Gay Duroe of Tiffin, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Ella, husband Don, a son in infancy, John Gooder, sister Betty (LaVern Zobeck), brother Jerry (Shirlee), brother Sonny (Janice), brother-in-law, Bill Gooder, sister-in-law, Betty Gooder, brother-in law, Ron Roberts, and son-in-law Michael Duroe.

Condolences may be left online at www.hindthudekfuneralhomes.com and donations can be made in honor of Rosie to the Howard County Historical Society.