Rose Louise Ascuaga

Rose Louise Ascuaga, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home the evening of Saturday, November 28, 2020 following a lengthy illness.

Rose was born December 6, 1933 in Eureka, Nevada to French Basque immigrants Marie Louise Harriet and Jean Leon Ardans. She was the youngest of three children and their only daughter. Like others of her generation, she grew up with not a lot, but enough. Her father ran sheep with Eureka Land and Livestock in central Nevada, while her mother tended to the family and cooked for the herders. Rose spoke Basque before English, and in her younger years, she learned to play the accordion, often showcasing her talents at the local Basque bar.

At age 14, she convinced her parents to let her attend a Catholic high school in Grass Valley, California. It was here with the nuns, she developed a deep connection to her Catholic faith, which comforted her when her father died unexpectedly three years later.

After graduating from Holy Cross School of Nursing in Salt Lake City, Rose returned to Reno and worked at St. Mary's Hospital as a surgical nurse for the original Reno Orthopedic Clinic surgeons. She lived with her mother who worked in the hospital's lab.

From early on, our mother swore she'd never marry a Basque. Then in the late 50's, she and her family were sitting in a lounge at Dick Grave's Nugget when a young Basque gentleman came cruising by their table. Our father had a keen sense of knowing what he wanted. He asked her on a date, and by the third one, he proposed. They married on June 15, 1958 at 4PM at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, the time and place he recalled on each of their 62 anniversaries.

Three children came quickly and then a fourth. Our parents were a team. Dad had bought and was operating the Nugget, and Mom raised the family. In 1970, they moved the family to Jacks Valley Ranch in Carson Valley.

Our mother was the rock of the family. She went about her work without constant attention to our every action, but she was always keenly aware of exactly what was going on with each of us. She was kind and gentle, though make no mistake, she was clear with her values. Throughout our lives, she was supportive and understanding.

Rose was all about her family and her faith. She poured every bit of her heart and soul in to both. In her last year, when struggling to find the words to express herself, she still lit up upon seeing her children and grandchildren. And it wasn't until receiving the Last Rites that she finally succumbed.

Rose is predeceased by her parents Marie Louise and Jean Leon, and brothers Rene and Peter. She is survived by her husband of 62 years John, children Camille Bressler (Mark), John L. Ascuaga (Teri Hiratani), Michonne Ascuaga (Dr. Kevin Linkus), and Stephen Ascuaga (Priscilla), grandchildren Gabriel, Noah and Miriam Bressler, Sean Ascuaga and Kai Hiratani, Jonathan and Rosie Linkus, Malia and Marisol Ascuaga, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family thanks Infinity Hospice (Shannon) as well as the numerous caregivers who assisted with her care, especially Iris, Tira, Tracy, Ali, and Yira. They are angels on this earth.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to St. Teresa of Avila Catholic School, 567 S. Richmond Avenue, Carson City, NV 89703.