Born on June 13, 1930 in St. Rose, Illinois
Departed on February 7, 2022 in Palm Bay, Florida
Rose Gebke Alexander, 91, passed away on February 7, 2022.
Rose was born in St. Rose, IL, on June 13, 1930, but grew up in Breese, IL. She moved away from home immediately after turning 14 years old and graduating the 8th grade from St. Dominic School to work at a hospital in St. Louis to send money home to help support the family. She returned home after a year, and then found work at a restaurant in Breese. She and Clara, her sister, ran The Lebanon Inn restaurant in the early 50’s, which later became known as The Cedar Inn. At The Lebanon Inn, she was the Grey Hound bus dealer in town.
She later met her husband, Ezra, on a Grey Hound bus leaving St. Louis. They were married in Breese in 1953 and had their wedding reception at The Knotty Pine Restaurant. With Ezra in the Air Force, having been stationed at Scott Air Force Base, they then moved to FL following their wedding. In 1957 they moved to Melbourne where they lived out their lives with their 3 children.
Rose worked as a cafeteria worker at University Park Elementary school from the 70’s to the 90’s with a little time spent working at Stone Middle School as well. During the 70’s, over the summers she worked in the kitchen to feed the children at The Good Shepherd Church in Melbourne. She volunteered at Daily Bread soup kitchen for 26 years. During all this time, she also took care of Ezra who had MS. She was a member of the 3rd Order of Mary group at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne. She loved to walk and pray, and many times did both at the same time.
Rose is predeceased in death by her parents Fred and Pauline (Seelhoefer) Gebke of Breese, IL; her sister Clara (Basil) French of Decatur, IL; and her husband Ezra of Pleasant Plains, IL. She is survived by her 3 children: Lisa Alexander, Gary (Sandy) Alexander and Lola (Lou) Giacona. Rose has 2 grandchildren: Lance Alexander and Erin (Gabe) Buzzelli; and 4 great-grandsons. She loved her family very much and was proud of each one of them.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 11th from 11:00-12:00 with the funeral mass to follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne, FL.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
9 entries.
Larry and Pam French
from Carson city wrote on February 11, 2022:
Aunt Rose was a blessing to this world. Her love, kindness and humility knew no bounds. Her wry sense of humor was always at the ready.
I will always remember our family vacations to visit her and the family and her patiently explaining to me what a “ 7 11 “ was and to please walk there with Lisa to buy a gallon of milk.
We have lost exactly what this world needs more of....... but the Lord has gained an angel.
Randy Allen
from Palm Bay wrote on February 11, 2022:
May the Lord wrap you in his love and grace.
Robin Brennan
from Trenton, IL wrote on February 11, 2022:
My heartfelt sympathies to the family & friends of Rose. I met her & her sister in the very restaurant in Lebanon, IL where they both owned it. It was so nice to meet former owners of the same place years prior to my parents ownership. The sisters as I called them were so kind. I always enjoyed the time when Rose would stop to visit every time she came back to IL. Even after the restaurant closed Rose would make time to stop & see us. She was one of the kindest people to have met in this life. She later introduced me to her daughter, Lola & her husband, Lou when they brought her back to IL. She was a very Special lady, Always spreading kindness wherever she went.
A shining example of GOD'S LOVE ❤
Lovingly, Robin
Robin Brennan
from Trenton, IL wrote on February 10, 2022:
My heartfelt sympathies to the family & friends of Rose. I met her & her sister in the very restaurant in Lebanon, IL where they both owned it. It was so nice to meet former owners of the same place years prior to my parents ownership. The sisters as I called them were so kind. I always enjoyed the time when Rose would stop to visit every time she came back to IL. Even after the restaurant closed Rose would make time to stop & see us. She was one of the kindest people to have met. She later introduced me to her daughter, Lola & her husband, Lou. We would meet at a restaurant & have a nice visit. She was a very Special lady, Always spreading kindness.
Lovingly, Robin
Debra Crane
from 308 West Cornell Ave Melbourne Florida. 32901 wrote on February 10, 2022:
Hi Lola ,Lou,Gary,Sandy,,Lisa ,Lance,Erin
Im sorry to here about the Passing of Rose. Mom and her had a lot of good memories being neighbor. They were like sister even they were not related. I can always see them hanging clothes and talking at same time. I can always remember her calling mom talking for ever. So I know she will be miss but specially by my mom.
Margaret (Niggie) Van Bever
from Melbourne wrote on February 10, 2022:
When I first met this follower of Christ, I immediately
knew she belonged to Jesus. Being in her presence
seemed to bring you close to the heart of God.
With love and heartfelt sympathy,
Niggie
Cynthia Newport
from Oak Hill wrote on February 9, 2022:
Met Rose and then Lola as my first hair stylist clients when moving to Melbourne in 1981. I appreciate that I have known such a beautiful person. Our conversations sharing her pride of her family. Not having family local ,she was kind to help me with my newborn daughter till I found daycare which I have always been grateful for. A True Blessing for all who have known her.
Ron & Mona Hughes
from Micco, Florida wrote on February 9, 2022:
“Mz Rose”,
Had a kind and gentle demeanor about her. She graciously welcomed us into her home & shared her family’s holidays w us since we were holiday orphans. She was not only a lovely, sweet lady to us but spent much of her life giving of her time & talents helping those in need; one of the rare qualities exemplified by true Christians. Her belief in and reverence for the Lord was thereby evident in her thoughts, words & actions; an excellent example for others. We were blessed in knowing her here & we look forward to seeing her again in Heaven!
Phil and Kathy French and family
from Bloomington, IL wrote on February 9, 2022:
Our sincere condolences. We will always have wonderful memories with Aunt Rose. She left this world a better place and we were blessed to be a part of her life.
Born on June 13, 1930 in St. Rose, Illinois