Rose Marie Onken, age 82 of Tracy, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment is in the Tracy City Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rose was born June 25, 1935 on the family farm near Fulda, MN to Henry and Kunie (Miller) Basche. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1953. Rose married Les Onken, her high school sweetheart, in March 1954. They lived in Worthington and Bigelow, MN and Spencer, IA before moving to Tracy in 1964. Rose was active in the community by coordinating Meals-on-Wheels delivery, lunch for all donors at the Red Cross Bloodmobile, working for the United Fund Drive, and working at the Hospital Auxiliary. She received the Tracy Outstanding Citizen Award in 1999. She was active at Tracy Lutheran Church by teaching Sunday School, coordinating the food for funerals, being an active member on the Altar Guild and attending Bible Study with the Glory Circle. Family was an important part of her life. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren. She enjoyed playing bridge, marathon, pinochle, and bingo. She was an avid sports fan, and collector of angels.
Rose is survived by her children: Kathy (Gary) Wittnebel of Burnsville, Marc (Pat) Onken of Auburn, WA, Jim (Di) Onken of Eagle Lake, Barb (Don) McKee of Montevideo, Brian (Linda) Onken of Marshall & Tim (Vicki) Onken of Allen, TX; 17 grandchildren: Sarah, Beth, Ben, Daniel, Scott, Jenny, Ryan, Chad, Becky, Emily, Ashley, Tyler, Jess, Samantha, Matthew, Morgan & Mary; 10 great grandchildren: Liam, Wyatt, Jaedyn, Graham, Archer, Grace, Jackson, Lily, Ashton & Clyde. She is also survived by her sister Violet Pfingsten of Fulda, and her sister in law Marsha Basche of Worthington. She was preceded in death by her husband Les (2009), infant daughter Rebecca, granddaughters Kimberly Onken & Molly Onken, great grandson Drew Austin, parents Henry and Kunie Basche, brothers Bob, Don, and Harvey Basche and sisters Marion Kramer, Phyllis Brinkman & Betty Schneider. Blessed be the memory of Rose Onken.
Prayers to the family of Rose, Rose was a close neighbor of ours while living in Tracy, I have many wonderful memories of her, Les and all the kids. Thoughts and prayers to you all, wish I were closer so could attend.
My Sympathy to Rose’s Family! She was an awesome Lady who loved her family and community. Rose and your dad hold a special place in my heart. I loved their faithfulness and appreciated everything they have done for me over the years. I always enjoyed my visits with your mom and her stories about what you kids and grandkids were up too and her Christmas letters she always sent to me. She loved you all so much and was so PROUD of each and every one of you. May all your special memories of her help in the days to come. (((HUGS))).
Deb Saxton
I am so sorry for your loss, Rose was a special lady. My thoughts are with your family.
Thinking of you and remember how important you were to her. Sending prayers and condolences.
I enjoyed the few times we shared with Rose ????. Our sympathy to Barb, Pastor Don, Ashley and Tyler and Barb’s extended family. I’ll miss seeing her at Tyler’s games Was so good to attend Ashley and Tyler’s games last year. Thoughts and prayers ????
My daughter said a party in heaven when I told her Rose had passed. I like that. Losing her is hard especially for her immediate family. Rose was a member of the Onken family from the day she married Les. I miss my brother and now his wonderful wife. Another member waiting for me. She was such a blessing to our family. Her trials and pain are gone. God took her Home. My prayers and love to my nieces and nephews. Rose loved her family above all else. May God grant you all peace. Auntie Jo
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to Kathy and Gary and the family. Thinking of all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Kathy! Y ok ug mom was a wonderful woman of faith and she lived her faith out in everything she did. May your memories keep your heart full.
God’s Peace,
Paula and Stephen
So sorry for your loss. Rose was amazing lady and will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Rose’s family, especially Barb & Don, Ashley and Tyler!
God’s blessings,
Debbie & Larry Sabrowsky & family
Kathy, we’re keeping you & your family in our prayers. It would seem that your mother was a beautiful role model & your church family is thankful that you learned from the best!
When I think of Rose I chuckle about the time Jim took John and Jacob to Tracy pheasant hunting, I am guessing they were 9 and 10 years old. They had the best time, for a long time all they talked about was how Grandma Rose let them have anything they wanted….pop, goodies and I don’t remember what all. I am pretty sure being spoiled by Grandma Rose was way more fun than hunting from how they talked. (sorry Jim)
Rose also came to Mom’s 80th birthday party in March. We had it at the casino as my Mom likes to gamble. We were in the party room, I think Mom wanted to go gamble but didn’t feel she should leave all her family. So Rose pipes up “Come on Emily lets go if you’re ready I am ready.” and off they went….I am so thankful she was there with us that day!
I will never forget Rose’s forever smile, her big hugs, her boisterous laugh and voice! Her giving, kind heart! I am so fortunate to have known her. Her memory will be in my heart forever!
I love you guys, wish I was there with you.
Our Sympathy. We met Rose when her son Brian and our son Scott were in school and sports together. We soon learned how important family was to her. I remember one time she asked parents to their home before Christmas and after a ballgame. We enjoyed her Christmas baking. Another time during a basketball game, our son Scott was at the free throw line. Rose always said those were “freebees”. She hollered, “come on Scottie.” and I got hollered at when I got home because Scott thought that was me hollering! Rose did enjoy her sports. May good memories help you at this time.
Dennis and Marilyn
Jim, my sympathy to you and your entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.