Rose O. Houseman

Rose O. Houseman, 81, passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Missoula on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.

Rose, a third generation Montanan and the first of four children of Fred and Alice Nelson, was born in Great Falls on Feb. 27, 1935. The family moved to Columbia Falls from Great Falls when Rose was in the sixth grade. As the oldest of four children growing up on the family ranch, Rose developed a keen appreciation of hard work and frugal living. Rose graduated high school from Flathead County High School in May 1953 with honors and won a high school honor scholarship. Always adept with numbers, Rose was employed at the high school office and at Pacific Fruit and Produce in the bookkeeping department. Later, Rose dedicated thirty years to working in accounts receivable at the University of Montana.

On June 1, 1953, shortly after graduating high school, Rose married the love of her life, Ellis Houseman in Kalispell. The couple moved to Boulder, Colorado, followed by a move to Yuma County, Arizona, and finally returned to Kalispell. Rose and Ellis had two children and moved their young family to Missoula in 1956. In 1966, Ellis and Rose built their home on Mullan Road and enjoyed country living, especially gardening and raising rabbits, for fifty years. The couple had many hobbies together and upon retirement dedicated more time to both their hobbies and travel including spending winters in Blythe, California, and exploration of all the backroads of Montana. In particular, Rose had fond memories of an RV trip the couple made through Alaska. In addition, the couple had traveled all over the U.S. and Alberta, Canada participating in rabbit shows, and both were lifetime members of the Garden City Rabbit Breeders Association where Rose volunteered as show secretary. Rose's collection of rabbit figurines and memorabilia, especially her rabbit music boxes, will remain fond memories for those who knew and loved her. The couple later joined the Hellgate Mineral Society and Rose was the club treasurer for many years. Rose enjoyed rock and mineral shows, rock hounding trips in the mountains, and creating beautiful wire-wrapped jewelry.

In addition to being known as an excellent seamstress and quilter, Rose was known for her green thumb and delicious fruit pies from her many peach, apple, cherry and plum trees. Even during her final summer in Missoula, Rose could be found working in her flower beds with her faithful dog, Bonnie, by her side. Rose was an avid reader and always had a crossword puzzle book nearby. Additionally, Rose enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren, and was a supporter and champion of all of their goals and activities. She especially loved the time she was able to spend in recent years with her young great-grandchildren.

Rose is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ellis; mother Alice; siblings, Georgia (Jim), Betty (Bob) and Ed; children, Belle and Fred (K.C.), and grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan), Julia (Wyatt), Emily, Thomas, Travis and Kyler; and great-grandchildren, Charlie, Grace and Claire.

Rose had requested no services and, in lieu of flowers, please remember Rose as you tend to your own gardens.


Read Rose Houseman's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.