Rose Elsie Schomaker

Rose Elsie Steffens Schomaker, 92, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 in Vinita, OK. The daughter of Martin and Clara Steffens, she was born March 29, 1923 near Fairland OK. She was baptized on April 22, 1923 at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Fairland and was confirmed there in 1936. Rose first attended St Paul's Lutheran School for one year then went to a one-room school house called "Oseoma" for seven years. She continued her education and graduated Salutatorian in 1941 from Fairland High School. After graduation, she attended Hills Business College in Oklahoma City, OK, and then she worked for Bell Telephone Company for several years. On November 30, 1947 Rose married Fred William Schomaker at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairland, OK. The couple first lived in Clintwood, KS then moved to Hays, KS and later Perryton, TX, where Fred was employed with Amoco Oil Company. The couple was blessed with five children, and they were active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rose enjoyed singing in the choir and teaching pre-school children in Sunday school classes for many years. She was also an active member of the Lutheran Church’s Dorcas Society. Rose and Fred were active in the American Legion where she served in various leadership positions including president of the Ladies Auxiliary. Rose was preceded in passing by Fred. She is survived by her four daughters, Virginia Rapp, Marco Island, FL; Janice Roberts, Rolla, MO; Barbara Bishop, Grove, OK; Sharon Hannon, Clarendon, TX ; one son, Lawrence Schomaker, Fairland, OK; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday, February 19, 2016 from 6-7 PM at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairland. Funeral Services are Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairland with Reverend Leo Schroeder officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairland Lutheran Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairland. Casketbearers will be Jordan Austin, Caleb Arnold, Chris Oakley, Jeremy Oakley, Bill Schaefer and Kevin Oakley. Honorary Casketbearers will be Gage Betts and Buddy Oakley. The family has asked that memorial Contributions be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Fairland Lutheran Cemetery. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Rose’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Rose Elsie Schomaker

March 29, 1923 - February 17, 2016