Rosella Marie Heier passed away February 22, 2024, at Sheridan County Long Term Care at the age of 88. Rosella was born June 15, 1935, to Frank and Clara (Siebenhaar) Rieth. She met Philip Heier at a square dance, and they were married on August 1, 1961, in Hanover, Kansas. They lived on the farm working to provide for their family. To this union, they had 5 children, Lori, Mark, Barbara, Amy, and Roger.
Rosella was an active member of the St. Agnes Ladies, Eucharist Minister, CCD teacher, and Religious Education Coordinator all at the St Agnes Catholic Church. She also worked on the Gove County Election board for many years. Rosella cooked many meals at the American Legion in Grainfield. She also volunteered many meals for area families when a child was born, or there was a death in the family.
Rosella’s most important job was being a mom to her five children. She was excellent in the kitchen, in the garden, and behind the sewing machine. She made many bierocks, angel food cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls, and the cookie jar was always full. Rosella canned numerous quarts of dill pickles (Rosella’s dills), vegetables and fruits, made several batches of homemade noodles, and endless jars of choke cherry jelly. She created many quilts, ensuring every grandchild had a blanket for their car and a handmade quilt for high school graduation.
Rosella and Phil loved to dance, especially the waltz, and watch Mollie B’s Polka show. Attending sporting events, music programs and Grandparent’s Day was the highlight of their life. Their Catholic faith was very important to them as well as a strong work ethic which was passed on to their kids and grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Phil, in-laws George and Barbara Heier, brothers Dwayne Rieth, Bernard Rieth, Gary Rieth, sisters-in law Josie West, Katie Heier, Jenny Pfeifer, Trudy Rieth, brothers-in-law Joe Heier, S.E. West, Albert Pfeifer, and Bill Parker. She is survived by her children: Lori (Charlie) Luman, Wichita; Mark (Lorie) Heier, Grainfield; Barbara (Tim) Lytle, Walden, Colorado; Amy (Steve) Oelke, Ellinwood; and Roger (Stephanie) Heier, Grainfield; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren with another on the way; siblings Ken (Barb) Rieth; Arnie Rieth; Marcella Rieth; Virginia Parker; and sisters-in-law Cheryl Rieth, Betty Rieth, and Louella Heier.
Visitation will be 1-2:30 PM at Mickey Leopold funeral home in Hoxie, KS on Friday March 1, 2024, and also at the St. Agnes Educational Center, Grainfield, KS from 5-7 PM with family present. Rosary will begin at 7 PM and vigil at 7:30 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield, KS at 10 AM Saturday March 2, 2024, with burial following in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Park, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to Grainfield American Legion Post 301 and St. Agnes Ladies. Memorials may be sent to Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.
This service will be livestreamed. The link to livestreaming will be found at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com