Obituary: Rosa LEE Fifer
Rosa LEE Fifer
(1935-2025)
Rosa Lee Fifer, daughter of Billie Moore and Opal Irene (Vanderpool) Robison, was born May 10, 1935, at home near Maloy, Iowa. Rosa grew up along with her two sisters, Ruby and Loretta. Rosa’s faith would lead her through her life as she attended revivals at Ellston that left a mark on her life.
Rosa married Richard Leonard and to this marriage, a daughter, Kathy, was born. The marriage did not last, and Rosa married the man that she would spend the rest of her life with, Charles William “Bill” Fifer. They were united in marriage on May 27, 1956. Together Rosa and Bill they had 3 sons, Billie, Roy, and a son that died in infancy. Bill adopted Kathy and together, the Fifer family of five made memories and shared their love for each other. Rosa and Bill were baptized in the Kellerton Christian Church by Pastor Norris.
Rosa grew up with a servant’s heart that she always displayed. She worked at Tripp nursing home in Leon and later for Westview Acres in Leon. She was a nurse’s aide and after going to cosmetology school, Rosa was a cosmetologist at Westview Acres and at the shop in Kellerton.
Rosa loved and cared for people. She took care of an extended number of family and friends throughout southern Iowa. She ran errands for people; she would help on any project and was a grandma to the kids in Kellerton. Rosa loved getting the family together and cooking a great dinner for them. She would always put on the coffee for any visitor and loved to visit. Rosa will be remembered for her bacon & cheese sandwiches on toasted bread that she would make for the hunters. Rosa had an adventurous spirit, and she loved to ride motorcycles. Her and Bill each had their own bike and belonged to the Knight Prowlers Motorcycle Club.
Rosa was surrounded by family when she passed away on September 3, 2025, at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill; son Billie; grandson Mark Comer; and her two sisters Ruby Newton and Loretta Reynolds.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children Kathy (Randy) Johnston and Roy (Tammy) Fifer; grandchildren Billie Hood, Kristy Hood, Mariah (Cody Edwards) Fifer, Kim (Jim) Monroe, Ciera (Bryce) Wood, Chace Willets; great grandchildren Dylan and Joel Monroe, Harlee Comer, Jeff Brown, Sophia Fifer, and Madelyn Rigney and great great grandchildren; brother-in-law Paul Fifer; other relatives and friends.
Services were held 10 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025, at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with burial in Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton. A memorial fund has been established in her name to be decided.
