Rosalie K. French
September 25, 1923 — May 11, 2024
Rosalie (Arentson) French was born September 25,1923 to Martin and Vina (Nelson) Arentson on the family farm in Lincoln Twp, Shelby Co., Iowa. She attended country school at Lincoln #5 and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1941.
After graduation she worked at the Harlan National Bank four years . On October 27, 1944 she married 2nd Lt Glenn French at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, IA. Four children were born to this union, Judi, John, Stan, and Dave. Rosalie joined Glenn in Yuma, AZ where he was stationed for military duty in World War II. She worked on base at the Officer's Personnel office until the war ended in 1945 and Glenn was discharged from the Air Corps. They returned to the Arentson family farm where they farmed for 13 years before a move to California where Glenn had a job in construction. In 1962 the family returned to Harlan where Rosalie helped manage the A & W Glenn had built. There were several moves for 20 years when Glenn accepted a job managing farm elevators in the Midwest. Rosalie learned how to pack and unpack during the 15 moves made in her 70 years of marriage. She made many close friends through the moves that she has maintained to this day.
Rosalie's faith in Jesus Christ was upper most in her life. She shared her faith as she taught Sunday School classes, sang in church choirs, and played the piano. Rosalie was a loving and caring mom to her children and happy to share her love with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed visiting them and hearing about their lives. Rosalie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Last September Rosalie was blessed to celebrate her 100th birthday with her family and many friends.
Rosalie died May 11, 2024 at Assisted Living at Elm Crest Retirement in Harlan, IA at the age of 100 years, 7 months, 16 days. In addition to her parents, Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, sisters Elaine Scull, Eleanor Allen, and brother Dale Arentson.
She is survived by her children Judi Doonan of Harlan, John (Shelly) French of Sun Lakes, AZ, Stan (Rebecca) French of Eagle, ID, and Dave (Amy) French of La Jolla, CA. Grandchildren Greg (Stephanie) Doonan of Polk City, IA, Stace (Emily) Doonan of Collierville, TN, Travis (Melissa) French of West Des Moines, IA, Katie (Cass) Minear of Underwood, IA, Jacob Smith of Council Bluffs, and Tracy French (Will Morris) of West Des Moines, IA, Matt French of Eagle,ID, Makayla Ferrera of Eagle, ID, Camden French of La Jolla, CA, and Emily French of La Jolla, CA. and 9 great grandchildren Alana Doonan, Mia Doonan, Gavin Doonan, Hudson Doonan, Zoey French, Max French, Dylan Minear, Mason Minear, and Bastien Smith, nieces and nephews, and many friends.
After graduation she worked at the Harlan National Bank four years . On October 27, 1944 she married 2nd Lt Glenn French at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, IA. Four children were born to this union, Judi, John, Stan, and Dave. Rosalie joined Glenn in Yuma, AZ where he was stationed for military duty in World War II. She worked on base at the Officer's Personnel office until the war ended in 1945 and Glenn was discharged from the Air Corps. They returned to the Arentson family farm where they farmed for 13 years before a move to California where Glenn had a job in construction. In 1962 the family returned to Harlan where Rosalie helped manage the A & W Glenn had built. There were several moves for 20 years when Glenn accepted a job managing farm elevators in the Midwest. Rosalie learned how to pack and unpack during the 15 moves made in her 70 years of marriage. She made many close friends through the moves that she has maintained to this day.
Rosalie's faith in Jesus Christ was upper most in her life. She shared her faith as she taught Sunday School classes, sang in church choirs, and played the piano. Rosalie was a loving and caring mom to her children and happy to share her love with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed visiting them and hearing about their lives. Rosalie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Last September Rosalie was blessed to celebrate her 100th birthday with her family and many friends.
Rosalie died May 11, 2024 at Assisted Living at Elm Crest Retirement in Harlan, IA at the age of 100 years, 7 months, 16 days. In addition to her parents, Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, sisters Elaine Scull, Eleanor Allen, and brother Dale Arentson.
She is survived by her children Judi Doonan of Harlan, John (Shelly) French of Sun Lakes, AZ, Stan (Rebecca) French of Eagle, ID, and Dave (Amy) French of La Jolla, CA. Grandchildren Greg (Stephanie) Doonan of Polk City, IA, Stace (Emily) Doonan of Collierville, TN, Travis (Melissa) French of West Des Moines, IA, Katie (Cass) Minear of Underwood, IA, Jacob Smith of Council Bluffs, and Tracy French (Will Morris) of West Des Moines, IA, Matt French of Eagle,ID, Makayla Ferrera of Eagle, ID, Camden French of La Jolla, CA, and Emily French of La Jolla, CA. and 9 great grandchildren Alana Doonan, Mia Doonan, Gavin Doonan, Hudson Doonan, Zoey French, Max French, Dylan Minear, Mason Minear, and Bastien Smith, nieces and nephews, and many friends.
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