Rosie Belle Gage 88, a resident of Orofino, Idaho, died Friday April 4, 2008, with her family by her side, in the Clearwater Hospital, Orofino Idaho. Graveside services and interment were conducted Friday, April 11, in the West Branch Cemetery, Mitchell, Oregon with her nephew Rev. Carl Naas officiating. Agates that Mrs. Gage had found on the beach and polished were given as worry-stones to family and friends at the beginning of the service and balloons were released by them at the end of the service with personal messages written on them.
Mrs. Gage was born November 26, 1919 in Ryan Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Doctor Harry and Virginia (Welty) McGinnis. As a child she attended schools in Oklahoma and New Mexico. She and her family moved to Oregon in the 30's and she remained there until World War II and then moved to San Diego, Calif., to work for Ryan Aeronautical Company as a riveter on airplanes being made for the war.
She married Willard Lawrence Gage on December 23, 1951 at Sunnyside, Washington. After her marriage she became a stay at home mom while Willard worked for the Hanford Nuclear Reservation as a pipe fitter.
During their time in the area they lived in Granger and after their children left home she and Willard moved to Kiona Benton. After Willard retired, they moved to Mitchell, Oregon where he had grown up.
Rosie was an integral part of the small community.
She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and helped with the events at the Mitchell Senior Center.
Mrs. Gage was an avid outdoorswoman who enjoyed fishing and spending time on the coast of Oregon clamming, painting and drawing pictures of the places that she and Willard visited each year. Also, she enjoyed her home and spent hours in her vegetable and flower gardens.
In May of 2000 she moved to Orofino, Idaho, to be near her daughter Juacile and lived in her own apartment at Brookside Landing until her death. She enjoyed having friends in for ice cream, and sharing special food that she had cooked with them. She was also, a very active member of the Orofino Tabernacle Church and initiated many prayer requests for family and friends.
Survivors include her four children: Juacile Van Corbach and husband Hank of Pierce Idaho, Julie Gage Larson of Yakima, WA, E.D. Hix and wife Alvina of Kila, Mont., and Janice Ley and husband Lloyd of Wausau, Wis. Eight grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Rosie was preceded in her death by her parents, her newborn son Benny Ray Hix, her sister Lois Wheeler, and her three brothers, Oscar Mc Ginnis, Merle Mc Ginnis and J.C. Mc Ginnis.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home was in charge of these arrangements. |
