Rose J. McElderry

West Des Moines

Rose McElderry, 81, passed away Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Kavanagh House on 56th after complications following surgery. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

Rose was born November 16, 1929 in Brussels, Belgium the daughter of Jean and Louise Janssens. She had been a West Des Moines resident since 1947. Rose was a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital for 30 years. After retirement from Mercy she worked for 10 years at Hy-Vee. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Rose was an avid knitter, loved football, enjoyed traveling, and was an inspiration to others, especially in the field of nursing. She will be dearly missed by all those who were blessed to know her.

Rose is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Ken) Shultz of Leesburg, FL; three sons, Ronald (Linda) of Tremont, IL, Mark (Julie) of Bellevue, NE and Robert (Trish) of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Amy (Dave) Dunkle, Brandy (Tony) Pollicita, Michael (Jackie) Shultz, Chad McElderry, Lyndsey McElderry, Ashley (Phil) McElderry, Adam McElderry, Patience McElderry, Harrison Pruitt and Bryce McElderry; great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Gracie and Anthony Pollicita, Evan and Reese Dunkle and Brant McElderry; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dr. Charles Janssens, and two great-grandchildren, Sydney Pollicita and Caleb Hargis.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at McLaren’s Chapel with a rosary service at 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Kavanagh House on 56th Street.