Rose Marie Whiteley

Rose Marie Whiteley, 83, was born on March 26, 1942, the first and only child of Alvin and Grace Whiteley in Benkelman, Nebraska. A lifelong resident of Benkelman, Rose Marie passed away at her home on November 3, 2025.

Rose Marie attended country grade school at district #14 located a short distance south of the family farm. She graduated from Dundy County High School and went on to attend Kearney State Teachers College, Kearney, NE. Completing her degree in home economics, Rose Marie completed her student teaching in Ord, NE later obtaining her master’s degree.

Rose Marie went to New York City, NY and spent several years working for McCall’s Magazine and the Singer Sewing Company. She created pattern designs for the Butterick Pattern Co. and she held numerous positions that allowed her to travel the world and present new fashion ideas to the masses. She loved traveling the globe and experiencing all the different cultures. She considered herself blessed to have seen many things from the Eiffel Tower in Paris the Great Pyramids in Egypt, Big Ben in London, she took in all the favorites.

Later in life, Rose Marie returned to Benkelman to help take care of her mother. In a sense, she never really left. Rose Marie always held a special place in her heart for Benkelman and was proud to return home. She held various positions throughout the remainder of her life was but was most notably the town clerk for several years. Rose Marie had a knack for government grant writing, securing unprecedented amounts of money for Dundy County and the city of Benkelman.

In her free time, Rose Marie found joy in gardening, devoting her backyard entirely to her beloved plants. Her green thumb brought life to her surroundings, reflecting her nurturing spirit. She also loved to cook and entertain friends. Her world travels aided her in preparing exotic cuisine from Germany, Russia, and France to name a few. Additionally, Rose Marie enjoyed watching football and baseball, something she enjoyed doing with her father and she continued to cherish the games throughout the years.

She is survived by her beloved cousins Leroy Grams, Robert Grams, and Sylvia (Alsbury) Humphreys and Lynn Sayler, all of Nebraska, Shirley (Mulder) Williams, Ralph Laverne Mulder both of Arkansas, Jan Livingston of Canada, and Suzanne Sayler of Idaho; her feline fur babies; numerous distant cousins and a host of community friends, many of whom she felt were family.

Rose Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Grace Whiteley, as well as her aunts and uncles.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 11, from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. (MT) at Benkelman Memorial Chapel, 205 Buffalo St. Benkelman, NE 69021.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM (MT), at the Benkelman Memorial Chapel, located at 205 Buffalo St, Benkelman, NE 69021. Randy Hayes to officiate.

Rose Marie Whiteley will be remembered for her passion, dedication, and the love she shared with everyone around her. Her impact on her community and the lives of those she touched will continue to resonate for many years to come.