Rose Edith Eichler Wood, loving wife to Mark H. Wood, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from her mortal experience, 31 October 2019, to join her parents and loved ones. Rose was born, 24 September 1930, to Ernst Walter and Erna Hulda Magarete Eichler in Danzig, Germany. She attended primary schools in Germany, but her schooling was interrupted by World War II. She finished her high school diploma in Spanish Fork, Utah, after immigrating to the United States.
She was forever grateful for Byron and Melva Geslison and family who sponsored her immigration to the United States and helped her get established here. Byron was a missionary friend of the family in Germany, who also happened to be Mark’s bishop, friend, mentor and neighbor; he introduced Rose to Mark, and soon thereafter, Rose and Mark married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on 31 Aug 1953. They recently celebrated 66 years together on earth.
Rose took great pride in being a mother, but as the children grew, she worked in a variety of jobs, and loved driving her big yellow school bus which she did for over 14 years. One day she pulled her bus, with her passengers, over to the side of the country road, picked up the bus microphone, and to the delight of the children, sang “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” to the herd of cows in the field just outside. She later found out that her microphone switch was flipped on so the whole school district heard her performance. She was spontaneous and loved life!
Rose loved being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a firm belief in her Savior and Heavenly Father and served faithfully in all callings she held. From the time they first met, Mark drove Rose around to almost 200 firesides, where her inspirational story was told of her testimony and the trials she faced while in war-torn Germany. She served in numerous callings and believed one should serve with all one’s heart. Her testimony was un-shakeable and she was unafraid to teach others of her love for the gospel. She and Mark fulfilled a life-long goal of serving two full-time missions in Germany. The first was a proselyting mission and the second was a temple mission in the Freiberg Germany Temple, where they developed many friends with members of the Church from Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Germany.
A devoted and dedicated mother, Rose raised seven children and was always there to take care of their needs. She taught by example, the value of giving and love. Some of the words her children and grandchildren use to describe her are: enthusiastic laugh, loving smile, memorable sleep-overs, a fun companion who taught hard work while doing chores; that you did not have to be a blood relative to be part of the family – she loved all equally. She loved juicing, bottling, cooking, fun games, family traditions, sewing, quilting, crocheting. She was playful, had a sneaky sense of humor, was graciously enduring, and a guiding light! She will be sorely missed and will be long remembered.
Rose is survived by her devoted husband, Mark; her daughters: Rose Marie, Michelle (Scott Swenson), Margaret (Jay Wick), Mary Anne; and sons: Steven (Karalyn), David (Jackie), and Paul. Rose loved her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
For the last ten years of her life, Rose was challenged with severe, chronic pain. She was an inspiration to those around her with her faith, determination, and endurance. Her family is eternally grateful for all who assisted with her health, emotional, and spiritual care and would like to thank all for their love, selfless giving, and ministering. So many interrupted their lives, gave unconditionally, and offered loving service as they lifted her spirits and cared for her needs.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main, Spanish Fork, Utah on Thursday, 7 Nov 2019, from 6–8 p.m. Additional visitation will be Friday, November 8, 2019, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at the Benjamin 2nd Ward LDS Church Building, 3238 West 7300 South (Benjamin), Spanish Fork, Utah, with funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel. Interment will be at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
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