Rose Blong

Rose Blong, age 97 of St. Lucas, Iowa died on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice facility in Hiawatha, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday January 14, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 307 East Main St. in St. Lucas, IA with Father Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial will be in the St. Luke’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m., until the time of service on Saturday morning at the St Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Rose Theresa Blong was born on August 28, 1919 to Clement and Elizabeth (Leibold) Blong on the family farm near St. Lucas, Iowa. Rose helped on the family farm while growing up. She later moved to Cedar Rapids where she worked as a housekeeper at St. Luke’s Hospital for forty years. Rose enjoyed crocheting, traveling, fishing, and later in life, participating in activities at the nursing home. Rose is survived by her two siblings: Viola Schmelzer, Appleton, WI; and Irvin (Marie) Blong, Fort Atkinson, IA, along with several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Rose was preceded in death by her parents: Clement and Elizabeth (Leibold) Blong. One sister: Florence (Dr. Daniel) Poirier. One brother: Clement Blong. One brother-in-law: Joe Schmelzer.