Rosa (Rose) Kinzie, 96, passed away on December 4, 2018 at Wellbrook of Wabash. Rose was born on September 18, 1922 in Pleasanton, Texas, the daughter of the late John and Mary Bronder.
During WWII, Rose was one of the many “Rosie the Riveters” working at Lockheed in Dallas, Texas for the war effort. In Dallas she met the late Gareth Kinzie from Mexico, Indiana and they were married on December 21, 1944. Before the war ended, Rose also worked at the Tom Houston Peanut Packaging Plant in Columbus, Georgia. After the war ended and Gary was discharged, they made their home in Peru, Indiana. Rose then worked at Bryan Mfg. for five years as a machine operator and then after a period of stay-at-home mom, she worked 27 years at Gilcrest Furniture Mfg. in the sewing department. Retired, she loved caring for her yard and garden, crocheting and sewing. Many will remember her purses, totes, stuffed animals, and doilies.
Husband Gary preceded Rose in death on August 10, 1991. Eight brothers and one sister are also deceased. Survivors include one sister, Josephine (Art) Keith of San Antonio, Texas; son Larry (Colleen) of Peru; daughter Rebecca (John) Hight of Wabash; grandchildren, Rachel (Troy) Guyer of Wabash; Amber Kinzie (Josh) Whited of Peru; and Ryan (Heather) Kinzie of Fort Wayne; great grandchildren, Erica (Aaron) Speakman of Columbia City, Indiana, Brad Guyer and Alice Guyer both of Wabash, Kenneth Eli Whited of Spokane, Washington, and Silver Kinzie of Fort Wayne.
Visitation will be held from 10am – 11am on Monday, December 10, 2018 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana. Funeral service will follow at 11am, with Pastor Brad Wright officiating. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Cemetery in Mexico, Indiana.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.