Rosie Ficken

MASON CITY ? Rosie Ficken, 83, of 14137 Spruce Ave., passed away October 1, 2005 at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday (October 4, 2005) at 11:00 A.M. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 North Delaware with Rev. Mark Lavrenz officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the church on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rosie was born on December 20, 1921 in rural Kanawha, the daughter of Christian J. and Katherine (Groh) Heimbuch. Rosie attended rural school and graduated from Mason City High School in 1939, and Mason City Junior College in 1941 and also took extension classes from Drake University. She married Edwin W. Ficken on June 20, 1943 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. To this marriage two children were born, Linda, and Edwin L. She taught in rural schools in Cerro Gordo County for three years before her marriage and then taught in the Nora Springs-Rock Falls School District for 19 years, teaching second grade for eleven years and third grade for eight years. She was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Elizabeth Circle, Board of Education for Bethlehem, fellowship club, church choir, taught Sunday School for many years, and was active in Vacation Bible School for 20 years. She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Iowa State Education Association, and former member of the Pleasant Ridge Club, Pleasant Ridge Womens Club, Ladies 500 Card Club and the LUGA Card Club. Rosie enjoyed family and home, church activities, reading, traveling, growing and tending flowers and teaching school. Rosie is survived by her husband, Edwin; daughter, Linda Koopman and husband Garold of Mason City; son, Edwin L. Ficken of San Dimas, California; grandchildren, Elizabeth Hughes and husband Stephen of Roanoke, Virginia, and Philip Koopman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; great-grandchild, Ethan Edwin Hughes; sister, Frieda Udelhofen of Mason City; sisters-in-law, Martha Heimbuch of Mason City, Gertrude Stevens and husband Edward of Mason City; brothers-in-law, Gilbert Luker of Mason City and Arthur Ficken and wife Dorothy Jo of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Victor and Robert Heimbuch; three sisters, Ella Eden, Emma Green, and Lydia Luker. The family would like to express a special thanks to Hospice for their kindness and care and also to Emily Pearce for her help in care giving over the past year. Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. (641)423-0924.

Visitation:
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at on October 4, 2005 (map/driving directions) 4:00 PM to 4:00 PM at on October 4, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
11:00 AM at on October 4, 2005 (map/driving directions)