Rose Mary McDowell

Funeral 11:00 am Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at First United Methodist Church. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Rosy was born August 22, 1934 in Garretson, South Dakota, the daughter of Julius and Laura Heesch. As a child, her chores were bringing in coal or wood for the house and collecting eggs. She attended Palisades School. She loved to roller skate and dance. In November of 1951, she met her soul mate, Dale, at the roller rink. On their first date, Dale took her to the Auto Show in Sioux Falls. Rosy taught Dale how to dance and they attended many Firemens dances in the surrounding towns. On November 25, 1953, Dale and Rosy were wed at the United Methodist Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Together, they farmed for a year near Garretson. They moved to Sioux Falls in 1954 where they raised three children and baby sat twelve kids. Rosy later worked for Modern Press (CCL Label). She also was an Esther of the Eastern Star. Rosys most rewarding job or hobby for over 14 years was sewing patches on fatigues for the men and women of the South Dakota Air National Guard. She also loved to bake goodies and shipped them to the deployed men and women overseas. Rosy is survived by her siblings, Richard Bud, Ronald and Hellen; three children, Raymond Pete McDowell of Sioux Falls, Diann McDowell-Blair of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bruce McDowell of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Ssgt Dale (MSgt Amanda) McDowell, Robert (Rhianne) Giudice, Jr. of Salt Lake City, UT, Crystal (Jonathan) Giudice-Murray of Salt Lake City, UT, Bruce (Alyssa) McDowell, Jr. of Sioux Falls, Miranda McDowell of Sioux Falls; and ten great grandchildren. Rosy is preceded in death by soul mate of 62 years, Dale; parents; daughter-in-law, Pamela McDowell; four siblings, Oliver, Raymond, Robert and Ramona. Memorial may be directed to the Childrens Home Society or Shriners Hospital.