Bruce Rose

Bruce Evans Rose of Junction City, Kansas passed away on October 6, 2025 at home. He was born on August 2, 1947 to Malcolm E. “Jack” Rose and Doris Elizabeth (Highfill) Rose at the Holton Hospital, Holton, Kansas.

He lived in Holton his entire childhood until his High School graduation in 1966. He spent a lot of his childhood at the Holton Swimming Pool which was managed by his father. He worked there throughout his early life and taught many children in the Holton area how to swim through the Red Cross Swim program. He was also a very active scouter starting as a cub and reaching his Eagle Scout Status. He was a delegate to the International Ramboree in Darby, England in 1965.

He joined the National Guard in 1966 in Manhattan, Kansas and was sent to Ft. Ord, California in 1967 for combat training. He also served in the Army Reserve until his discharge in 1972. He was proud to be a part of the Honor Guard at the funeral of Dwight D. Eisenhower in Abilene, Kansas.

Bruce attended Kansas State University and was a member of Delta Chi fraternity. He attended for 1 year then went to military training in California. After returning he attended Emporia State University for 1 semester then returned to Kansas State University to complete his degree in 1971.

On August 4, 1968, he and Carolyn Klahr were married in Holton, Kansas. To their union, their daughter, Lisa Elizabeth was born. Carolyn and Bruce celebrated their 57th anniversary before his death.

After his graduation in May, 1971, Bruce accepted a position with the Kaw Council Boy Scouts of America in Kansas City, Kansas. He served as a Boy Scout Professional and Explorer Scout Professional until his resignation in August of 1974 to pursue the purchase of a business. Bruce and Carolyn purchased West Acres Greenhouse and Floral in Junction City, Kansas. He operated and managed the Greenhouse and Landscaping part of the business until its sale in 2000.

His last career change took place in 2001 when he became the Horticulture Instructor at the Women’s Correctional Facility in Topeka, Kansas. During his tenure there he added 2 new greenhouses to the facility and conducted classes in horticulture and plant growing. He and his staff planted all the floral plantings each spring for the capital, statehouse and governor’s mansion. He retired in 2013.

Bruce loved traveling with his family, gardening, landscaping and spending time outdoors and collecting Western memorabilia.

He hunted with great friends every year for 45+ years and hosted many weekend hunts from their home.

He also loved fishing trips to Red Lake, Canada with Carolyn and friends and the fly-in fishing with his pals to remote lakes in Canada.

One of the highlights of his life was spending a week on the USS Constellation with his nephew and father as the ship came into port in Hawaii.

After retirement he spent many hours as a volunteer for Wheels of Hope, Geary Co. Food Pantry and Eagle Scout Review boards.

He was a 50+ year member of the United Methodist Church of Junction City and past member of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and 101 Ranch Collectors Assn.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Lisa Rose-Michalski and husband Mark, Wichita, KS. Grandchildren: Aden Michalski, Bastrop, TX and Maya Michalski, NYC. Sister: Leah Cornelssen, Goodyear, AZ as well as many loving nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

His remains will be cremated. A memorial/celebration of life service will be held on a future date in the Bobo Room at First United Methodist Church located at 804 N Jefferson St, Junction City, Kansas, 66441.

Memorial Contributions are requested to be made to the Geary County Food Pantry/Wheels of Hope Junction City, Kansas or to the First United Methodist Church of Junction City, Kansas.