Leona W. (Wight) Rosier

May 14, 1918-July 17, 2011

CAMBRIDGE, Nebraska -- Leona W. (Wight) Rosier was born May 14, 1918, in Frontier County, Nebraska. She was the second child of Hazel (Hart) Wight and Frank A. Wight. Leona grew up with her family in Red Willow County, Nebraska, attending grade school at rural school districts No. 18 and No. 52 (Fairhope), graduating from Bartley High School in 1935.

Leona was united in marriage to Vernon L. "Vince" Rosier on Oct. 19, 1940 in Maryville, Missouri. The couple made their home at a Frontier County farm before moving to the Rosier family farm in 1943. Two children were born to this union, Kathleen Carole (1943) and Kenneth Vern (1949).

Leona taught rural elementary schools from 1938-41. She graduated from Kearney State College in 1969 and continued working as an elementary school teacher and adult basic education instructor. Leona was later employed as the Librarian at the Bartley Public Library. She directly participated in the operation of the Rosier family farm.

Leona was an active member of the Dry Creek Homemakers Club and a 60-year member of Kemper Memorial United Methodist Church in Bartley, Nebraska. Leona liked being in the kitchen trying out new recipes from the Kitchen Klatter radio program and magazine. She solved crossword puzzles, but especially enjoyed reading. Leona moved with her husband from the family farm to the Village of Bartley in 1990.

Leona's immediate family and the family of her husband were dear to her; she provided countless wonderful holiday meals and entertainment. Leona and Vern loved to dance, and in the 1950s the couple danced with local square dance groups. Some of the dance locations included a few local barns, the old shelter house at Cambridge City Park, Thorndike Hall in Cambridge, Bartley Opera House, Freedom Hall in Frontier County and Bartley High School Gymnasium.

Leona was preceded in death by her brother, Francis Hart (1931); father, Frank (1971); mother, Hazel (1986); beloved husband of 62 years, Vernon (2002); and sister, Joye (2011).

Left to celebrate the memories of her life are daughter, Kathleen and husband, Ron Hansen; son, Kenneth and wife, Jackie Gonzalez Rosier; granddaughters, Angela and husband, Brad Gress, Alison Hansen and fiancé, Vince Burgett; step-granddaughter, Anica Gonzalez Lewis; great-grandsons, Dylan and Carson Gress; brother, Allen Wright; sister, Virginia (Wight) Tallman; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

God's Love among us causes us to celebrate the life of Leona Rosier. The family of Leona Rosier extends our deepest thanks for your presence and your kind expressions of love.

Memorials may made to Bartley United Methodist Church or the Bartley Public Library.

Services to celebrate her life are Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 11 a.m., at Kemper United Methodist Church in Bartley. There is a private family inurnment.