Barbara Ilene Rose

Rose, Barbara (Welton), April 27, 1939 to January 16, 2026, passed peacefully after a long, slow battle with Alzheimer's dementia. She was lovingly cared for at home by her husband of 66 years, Richard, and spent her final 16 months at Maple Ridge Manor in Lowell. We thank them for the loving care she received. Barb was a lifelong resident of the Caledonia area and retired from their school system after 26 years as a bus driver. She loved her "bus kids" and people in general. Her gift of gab was well known, and she never met a stranger. Gardening was her passion, and she obtained her Master Gardener Certification from MSU after retirement. Barb was good at anything she put her mind to doing. She was a beautiful seamstress, great cook, winner of a bus driving skills rodeo and a terrific wife, mom and grandma. She loved her family fiercely. She will be greatly missed by her husband, Richard, children Jane (Doug) Hall, Ken (Katy) Rose and grandchildren Robert (Melanie) Engel, Nolan and Reagan Rose, and great-granddaughter Ellie Engel. She is also survived by her sisters Shirley Smith and Sheila Dykstra, and her brother Butch (Donna) Welton and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may meet with Barb's family on Tuesday, January 20 from 4 PM to 7 PM and on Wednesday, January 21 from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Beeler Gores Funeral Home where a funeral service will take place on Wednesday, January 21 at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made in Barb's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.