- Date Of Birth: September 16, 1926
- Date Of Death: February 26, 2013
- State: Iowa
Rosemary Steinbach Evans
Rosemary (Steinbach) Evans was born in Chariton, Iowa on September 16, 1926
to George and Katherine (Carr) Steinbach. She was proud of her family and of
had been instrumental in helping to build. She loved her mother’s Irish relatives
and her father’s German relatives. Rosemary graduated from Chariton High
School in 1944. She was proud to be a life-long Chariton resident and to have
held a job on each of the four sides of the Chariton town square.
1950. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Susan Marie, James
Robert and Carolyn Maria. Rosemary was a full-time mother while her
children were at home. When Carolyn began to attend school, Rosemary
went along — she worked as a teacher’s aide at Carolyn’s school.
Rosemary and Bob enjoyed so many good times with family and friends.
As a couple they played bridge, camped and enjoyed life and their children.
In 1973, Rosemary began her career as librarian of the Chariton Public
Library. She was friendly, hard-working, and passionate about the library
being a place that was welcoming to all.
Bob died suddenly of a heart attack in 1983. After Bob’s death, Rosemary
devoted even more time to seeing that an addition be added to the original
Carnegie library in Chariton. She was passionate about the needed addition of
a children’s room and an area for the fast-growing genealogy society.
Rosemary worked hard to help make the library addition a “perfect match” to
the original building. The addition was completed in 1991 and her dream of
much needed additional space for the library was a reality. There was no
doubt in her mind: the Chariton Public Library was one of the finest libraries
in the entire state of Iowa.
Rosemary retired in 1992. Her retirement days were filled with her children,
activities. She was active in Women of Sacred Heart, Garden Club, Book
Club, TTT, American Legion Auxiliary, Lucas County Health Center
Moines. She even held a wonderful “Tacky Birthday Party” for herself.
What fun it was!
beautiful yard. She also loved to entertain family and friends in her home.
birthdays.
In January of 1999, Rosemary suffered a stroke and was hospitalized for
several months. Her right side, including her arm and leg were left
permanently paralyzed. Rosemary remained positive and cheerful.
All three children wanted mom to come to live in “my town.” Rosemary was
determined — Chariton was her home, where she had lived for 72 years and
it was where she “belonged.” SHE made the decision to return home and live
at Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center.
Rosemary’s days following her stroke were blessed by kindnesses from her
friends and family and from many strangers and new friends who brightened
her days. She was honored to be recognized with a Humanitarian Award from
the Chariton Chamber of Commerce in 2000. She was also proud to be a
Grand Marshall in Chariton’s 150th Celebration Parade.
Rosemary Steinbach Evans touched the lives of her family and friends, many
community. Her gifts to others were her strong faith, her positive attitude, her
dedication to the values of honesty and hard work and her constant flexibility
in adapting to her changing circumstances. Her ever present positive attitude
was a role model for all who knew her. Though paralyzed in body, Rosemary
was never paralyzed in spirit. She was an inspiration to others!
Rosemary is survived by her children: Susan Evans of Chariton; Dr. Jim
Evans (Rose) of Johnson City, TN; Carolyn Hooper of Lee’s Summit, MO;
and grandchildren: Jamison (Laura) Evans of Jonesborough, TN; Janna
Evans of Nashville, TN; Garrett and Olivia Hooper of Lee’s Summit, MO;
great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Lynn Evans of TN; step-grandsons: Matt and
Nick Dugan of Winterset and Kris Dugan of Des Moines.
She is also survived by her sister, Cecilia Farrell of Yorkville, IL and her
brothers, Leo (Kay) Steinbach and Jim (Barb) Steinbach of Chariton and her
sister-in-law, Esther Belle Steinbach of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by
cousins Fred (Sherry) Steinbach of Chariton; many other dear cousins,
nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her son-in-law Curtis Hooper,
her parents; her brother, Larry Steinbach of Cedar Rapids; her sister-in-laws:
Edith Brinkley, Daisy Chapman, Gladys Sibert, Pearl Evans and Ruth
Jorgensen; her brother-in-laws Richard Farrell, Homer Chapman, Earl Sibert
and Marvin Jorgensen, several nieces and nephews.
The family extends special thanks to Dr. Ken Anderson and Dr. Philip
Sundquist for their skilled and compassionate care. Special gratitude to the
wonderful caregivers of Chariton Nursing and Rehab who lovingly cared for
Rosemary over the past 14 years. Thank you, also, to the kind people at Care
Initiatives Hospice who helped to brighten Rosemary’s final days. Her family
is grateful to you all.
