Rozella Mae Warhurst born December 17th 1927 to Katie Schmidt Warkentine and Henry Warkentine in rural Marion County Kansas. She graduated Peabody High School and later married Clifford Dean Warhurst on December 16th 1946. Together they had 9 children. She and Dean opened the West View Cafe in Peabody in 1961. Dean passed away suddenly 3 months later and Rozella continued the business until 1967. She then moved her family back to Newton and worked miscellaneous factory jobs the last being Hesston Corporation from 1976 to 1992 where she retired as a data entry clerk. She enjoyed cooking for the VFW and making pies for them to sell during bingo. She loved to bowl and was in a woman’s league for many years and bowled in many national tournaments with her daughters and granddaughters. She loved going on Warkentine family campouts with her family and playing pinochle and other games with her brother’s, sister-in-law’s, nieces and nephews and her own children.
She is survived by sons Ron Warhurst (Marti) of Cape Girardeau, MO., Larry Warhurst of Parker. KS., John Warhurst of Baldwin City, KS. and Terry Warhurst (Dea) of Newron. KS., daughters Jo Hopkins (Mike) of Rosehill, KS and Janet Mosiman of Newton, KS. 26 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Dean Warhurst, son Charles (Chuck) Lynn Warhurst , daughters Karen Sue Miller and Sharon Kay Chamberlain. Brothers Marvin, Ed and Dave Warkentine. She was also preceded in death by 2 daughter-in-laws and one son-in-law.
A memorial graveside service is scheduled for 10:00AM Monday, July 27, 2020 at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody, KS. Pastor Brad Warkentine presiding. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church Piecemakers or VFW Auxiliary Post 2715.
May your many memories help you all through this sad time!
This is sad.
Our Mom
In the fall of 1961, a 33 year old woman was returning from a shopping trip for supplies for the restaurant she and her husband Dean had opened just that summer. When she arrived home, she found her children distraught and some of the local men at the house. Her husband had died and she broke down in tears and cried off and on for a few days until the grief finally passed. What she did over the next 20 years was truly amazing. She put all 9 of her children through high school, got some of them started in college, managed the Westview Cafe, sold the Cafe and worked at Heston Corporation alongside two of her brothers. Over the years she watched her children get married, get jobs, have children of their own, and again grieved when her son Chuck, daughters Kay and Sue passed on. Her remaining children Ron, Larry, John, Jo, Janet and Terry will miss her terribly, but remember the good times they had with her growing up, going on camp outs with her and her brother’s families. I remember on fishing trip to Marion Lake that Larry, John and I went on that mom and the rest of her children were going to join with us that evening. What an adventure, we had 4 large channel catfish and had set up the family tent when a heavy thunderstorm blew down the tent and made a wet mess of everything. We still had fun. I remember the trip to Europe with her, her friend Rosalee, and my Son Brandon. She walked for miles through castles, museums, parks and restaurants where she was never sure what she was eating. One thing was sure, she had no fish at any of them as she never ever ate fish. An amazing woman who successfully raised 9 children by herself from the young age of 33.
The Piecemakers were always thrilled when her smiling face came bearing cookies!
Thank you.
Always enjoyed Rose! She was a very special lady & enjoyed bowling in the same leagues with her. Playing bingo with her & eating her delicious pies. She will be missed by all! Love & prayers for your family!
I’ve done her hair for the last several years. I looked forward to seeing her and hearing about all of her adventures. She was an amazing woman! Although Ive never met any of her children, I feel like I know all of you. I will miss her greatly!