Rosemary Kridelbaugh

ROLLA, Mo. -- Rosemary "Rosie" Utterback Kridelbaugh, 84, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

She was born Feb. 24, 1935, in Martinsburg, Iowa, to Oliver and Vera Seba Utterback. She grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she graduated high school and met the love of her life, Leon Kridelbaugh. They were married Sept. 5, 1954.

After high school, Rosemary worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Ottumwa, and, after getting married, transferred to Ames, Iowa, where she helped finance her husband through college. When he graduated, she managed the household and raised three boys, while following her husband throughout his forestry career. This led them through Remer, Minnesota; Eagle River, Wisconsin; Milwaukee; Bedford, Indiana; and finally to Rolla.

After the children were grown, Rosemary worked a full career for the Missouri Division of Employment Security, retiring as a claims examiner after 17 years of service. She also worked in her husband's stone-carving booth at the Silver Dollar City craft festival in Branson, Missouri, for 17 seasons.

Rosemary loved traveling and always lived life on the go, from tapping her toes at bluegrass music festivals to cheering on her favorite NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt (No. 3). She and Leon also kicked up their heels as members of the Duck N' Dive Square Dance Club in Rolla for more than 25 years, dancing in several national conventions.

Wherever Rosemary lived and traveled, she made lifelong friends, as well as some furry ones during her time as a volunteer with a local Friends of the Animals group. She also was a member of Red Hat Mad Hatters social club.

Rosemary will be forever missed by her many friends and surviving family, including her husband of 64 years, Leon Kridelbaugh of Rolla; brother, Norman Utterback of Lincoln, Nebraska; three sons, Alan and wife, Shearry, of Cape Girardeau, Brian of Rolla, and Curt and wife, Cathy, of Doolittle, Missouri; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 11 a.m. until service time at Greentree Christian Church in Rolla.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the City of Rolla Animal Shelter.

All arrangements are under James and Gahr Mortuary.

For online condolences visit www.jamesgahrmortuary.com.