Rose Marie Friend (Villmer)

Rose M. Friend of Evans, Georgia departed this life on Sunday October 17, 2021, having reached the age of 93 years and 22 days. Rose was born Richwoods, Missouri on September 25, 1928, daughter of Elmer Francis Villmer and Emma (Recar) Villmer. On March 4, 1947, she was united in marriage to James Willard Lasater in Denver, Colorado and seven children came to bless this union.
On July 14, 2001, she was united in marriage to Claude Brewer Friend in Luebbering, Missouri.
Rose is survived by three children, Betty DeClue and husband Don of Evans, Georgia, Gary Lasater and wife, Hazel of Richwoods, Missouri and Richard Lasater of Patton, Missouri; four stepchildren, Larry Friend and wife Diane of Sullivan, Missouri, Harry (Gordon) Friend and wife Trudy of Kirkwood, Missouri, Cathy Wilson and husband Dave of St. Clair, Missouri and Cindy Hickinbotham of Luebbering, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Emma Villmer; her first husband, James W. Lasater; two sons, Ronald Lasater and Darrell Lasater; two daughters, Sharon Missey and Patricia Brown; two stepsons, Claude (Clyde) Friend and Ronald Friend; five siblings, Walter Villmer, James Villmer, Albert Villmer, David Lester Villmer, and Catherine Rogers; one Grandchild, Brian Missey; one greatgrandchild, Henry James Lasater; two great grandchildren, Cooper Riley Edwards and Zachery Thurman.
Rose was a devoted member of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Richwoods, Missouri, where she sang in the choir and was a Eucharist Minister. Later in life she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Luebbering, Missouri and she sang in the choir with her husband Claude. She belonged to the Ladies Quilting Group at both churches through the years and helped to make many quilts, for church fundraisers. Rose’s love for quilting was shared with family as she made twenty six or more, each were unique and given with love and pride sewn into each stich.
Rose had a passion for raising beautiful flowers in her yard and home and she took great pride in raising great vegetable gardens each year.
Rose shared her love of cooking with family and friends. She would make the best “yeast buns and doughnuts” and they could hardly wait until they were ready, she especially enjoyed making them for her Dad, Elmer Villmer.
Rose started working during the WW2 at a shoe factory, making forty cents per hour. Over the years she managed to work at different times for International, Deb Shoe, Hamiliton, Brown Shoe Company and Prince Gardner Wallets, all while she was raising seven children. Later in life as these jobs went away she decided to go to Beautician School in Sullivan, Missouri and became a beautician with a shop at her home for eleven years before retiring. She spent some years after retiring, working as an election poll worker and looked forward to the “next election”.
Most of all Rose loved her big family and was blessed once again as she came to know all her stepchildren and to share in their family celebrations, adding more joy to her life. Rose will be missed by all who knew and love her and her memories will forever be in everyone’s hearts.