Richard Rose

Richard Dale “Dick” Rose, 85, passed away March 8, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Dick was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Stamford, S.D. His parents were John Henry and Clarice Lucile (Morgan) Rose.

He entered the Army on Dec. 26, 1944, and served until 1949 as a switchboard operator and telephone lineman with both the 25th and 32nd divisions, and the military police with the 25th division. He was stationed in Manila, Japan and the United States.

During his time with the Army Reserves, he broke his hip and was given a medical discharge. He worked in the timber industry in Northwest Montana until medically unable to continue working.

He resided at the Montana Veterans Home for more than 40 years, where he served as chaplain, caretaker of the flower gardens. He planted the trees around the Veterans Home.

He is survived by brothers Franklin and wife Marilyn, of Lolo, Merlyn and wife Kris, of Olney, and Emmet and wife Gloria, of Oklahoma City; sisters Julia Ann Mee, of Trego, and Mitzi Parkinson, of Kalispell; numerous nieces and nephews; and the loving and caring staff at Montana Veterans Home.

Services took place at Columbia Mortuary on March 16, 2012. Military graveside services followed at the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery in Columbia Falls, officiated by Dick’s nephew, Kelly Mee.