Roseanna M. Caley

 Roseanna M. Kress Ackerman Caley, age 87, of Beetown, died on Sunday, February 13, 2011, at her sons residence in Viroqua. She was born October 25, 1923, to Henry and Mary Rosann (Richardson) Kress around the Potosi area. Mary died when Rose was only 5 years old and Henry passed before she turned 13. Rose and her younger brother, Leonard, were adopted and raised by Reiner S. and Elizabeth Ackerman. She received her eighth grade diploma from the Massville Rural School and was confirmed in 1937 at the Potosi Congregational Church. Rose married Melvin Caley on January 8, 1947, at the Congregational Church in Lancaster. The couple ran a dairy and hog farm in Beetown Township. They were married for 48 years until Melvin died in 1995. Rose continued to manage the farm until 2010.

Rose was involved with the Beetown Busy Braves 4-H Club when Marvin and Connie showed there cattle, horses, rabbits and other items. She exhibited vegetables and flowers in the open class. Rose belonged to the West Grant Saddle Club, where she enjoyed helping Connie and watching her many horse shows.

Tending and caring for a large vegetable garden and raising gorgeous flower not only provided food for her family but also added beauty to her yard, table and the church alter. Her real passion was embroidery and she graced many people with her works of art until her macular Degeneration stole her eyesight. Then she turned her creative talents to crocheting making baby blankets, towels tops and dish clothes. Rose always had to have some kind of work to keep her busy as those hands were never idle.

Rose enjoyed going to the Beetown United Methodist Church, helping with the various church and community dinners and breakfasts where she scraped many plates over the years.

Rose is survived by her children: Marvin (Beverly) Caley, Viroqua; Connie (Warren) Gabrilska, Berlin; four grandchildren: Doug (Billie Hanson) Caley, DeSoto; Sheryl (Mark) Haakenson, Ferryville; Michelle and Casey (Beth) Caley,Viroqua; seven great-grandchildren: Bob Jd Caley, Roxanna, April, Shawnna and Ryan Haakenson, Gracie and Kendall Rose Caley; a sister, Viola Caley, sister and brothers-in-law: Eula Mae Caley, Mary Lu (Jim) Caley Vondrum, Donald, Alfred, LaVern Caley. She is further survived by neices and nephews and many other family, friends and many good friends from the Beetown area that were willing to give her a ride.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, a sister, Ruby (Harry) Birch, brothers: Louis, Joseph and Leonard (Helen) Ackerman, Eddie (Laura) and Arnie (Mildred) Kress; Sister-in-law, Shirley Caley; Brothers-in-law: Glen, Lawrence (Jack) and Clifford Caley.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 18, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster with Pastor Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Burial was in Dodge Cemetery, Beetown Township. Family and friends called on Thursday, February 17, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster and from 12:00 noon until time of services on Friday at the funeral home.