Rose Mary Holzer, 88

Rose Mary Holzer of Kellogg, Idaho, passed away March 30, 2021, in Spokane, Wash., at the age of 88. She was born Jan. 8, 1933, to Peter and Amelia Kiefer in Hague, N.D., where she grew up on the family farm, of which many stories were told over the years of life on the farm until she left home to make room for the younger siblings as their family grew.

Her first adventure took her to Aberdeen, S.D., where she began work as a waitress, until a serious illness of their mother sent her back to the family farm to care for the younger siblings while their mother recovered from the illness. Once she was able to leave again, she made her way to Bismarck, N.D., where she began working at the hospital, which led her to meeting Thomas "Tom" Holzer, of whom she married on Oct. 17, 1955, and was blessed with 51 years of marriage and four children.

After their wedding, they made their home in Bismarck for a while until the lack of work, and Tom's sister convincing them to move out west where she lived, their journey began. With $50 in Tom's wallet, and a butchered pig in the trunk of the car, and a baby on the way, they left North Dakota and drove west to Washington state, which would then lead them to Kellogg, which would be home for their remaining years.

Rose was able to stay home and take care of the children until the youngest child began school, at which time she began working as a waitress at the Sunnyside Drug store, where she served many cups of coffee and food to the locals until her next adventure would lead her to working for the Bunker Hill Mining Company, where she cleaned the office buildings until the company closed, that led Rose and Tom to become self-employed where they would work together cleaning the office buildings for the Sunshine Mining Company until her retirement at the age of 62.

After retirement, she enjoyed crocheting beautiful doilies and tablecloths, and found herself becoming the caregiver of the elderly in and around the neighborhood and those within walking distance since — she never drove a car. She found comfort knowing she was making a difference in keeping some of them from being placed in a nursing home or assisted living by being able to care for them since she lived too far from her own parents, and didn't want to leave the area where her children lived.

After Tom passed away in 2007, her children began reversing roles, and instead of Rose taking care of them, they began taking care of her. Her deep faith in God grew stronger, especially when her son Richard "Rick" passed away suddenly in 2012, followed by son Michael "Mike" in 2016. The question always remained … why did God need them so young? Her prayers each day were for her family and friends, and then became more for her daughter, as she knew her time here on Earth was getting closer to ending, and her daughter would be the only survivor left of the family.

Mom, I have always said, "You are one tough piece of meat!" Thank you for all your love, teaching me to have faith in God, many wonderful memories, and for keeping your promise of never giving up. Fly high mom, I love you so much!

Rose is survived by her daughter, Donna Holzer of Spokane Valley, Wash.; three sisters and two brothers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Holzer; sons Daniel, Michael and Richard; five brothers and one sister.

Services will be held Thursday, April 8, 2021, at Saint Rita's Catholic Church in Kellogg, with rosary at 9 a.m. followed by funeral service at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery with reception following the service at the parish hall.

Memorials may be made to St. Rita's Catholic Church, 27 Kellogg Ave., Kellogg, ID 83837.

Shoshone Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.