Lawrence Steven Rose

1939 - 2018

Lawrence Steven Rose

Austin - Lawrence Steven Rose was born May 18th, 1939, in Ventura, California to Jack and Mae Rose. He was the younger brother to Ron Rose, whom we lost in 2017.

After graduating high school in Carpinteria, Steve attended Cal, and then completed his degree at the University of Santa Barbara. Returning to Carpinteria, Steve met up with childhood friend, Marty Panizzon and they decided to travel to Italy. They discovered ten speed bicycles while on vacation, which they shipped to New York, and then peddled them across the country, back to Carpinteria, against the wind most of the way. Adulthood now loomed, and Steve began his career as a real estate agent, which lasted all of one day. His next and final career choice was to start farming with life-long friend, Bob Brooks. During this time, he was fortunate to meet Cecil Dawson, whom he married in 1966. While living in Camarillo, they had four children, Sarah, Charlie, Alex, and Ellie.

In 1976, the Rose family moved to Austin, Nevada, where Steve purchased an alfalfa farm in Reese River Valley and built a log home for his family. Steve took great pleasure in regular Sunday drives, picnics with neighbors, high school sports and his children's activities, Sarah's taxidermy career and amazing artwork, inviting foreign exchange students into their life and home, watching sports (only if he could bet on them), cigarettes, and of course, the ever-present cocktail hour overlooking the family farm and the Toiyabe Mountains.

Steve chose to live an interesting and unique life, which included flying and crashing a gyrocopter, owning and driving a Citroen with hydro pneumatic suspension on dirt roads around Austin (think modern day hydraulic low rider), collecting Corvairs, owning a llama, stepping foot on Antarctica, bungee jumping in New Zealand, staring at the statues on Easter Island, attending Evil Knievel's attempt to jump the Snake River, wearing Vans among the boot wearing farmers and ranchers, and raising four hard working, loyal children who abide by DDNDAS.

In 2002, he lost his wife, mother of his children, a true Austin character, and friend to all, Cecil Rose. In 2007, he was introduced to Louise Evans by his dear friend, Champie. Steve and Louise enjoyed many trips abroad, meeting each other's families, art, memories, and many games of gin rummy. After selling the family farm in Austin, they moved to Fernley for a long awaited retirement. After battling lung cancer, Steve passed away peacefully on August 7th. He is survived by his daughters Sarah Rose (Todd) and Ellie Rose and sons Charlie Rose (Renee) and Alex Rose, grandchildren Katelyn Knisley (Austin) and Wade Rose (Ashley), his beautiful and loving companion Louise Evans, and Muffet.

There will be a brief service at the Austin cemetery on Saturday, August 25th at 1 PM, followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Austin Park to reflect on the fond memories we all shared with Steve and the town he loved, Austin (Nevada of course!). Camping is permitted at the park. If the mormon crickets take over the park, then the gathering may be moved to the town hall in mid-town Austin.

Arrangments are with Smith Family Funeral Home in Fallon 423-2255