Rosa Calahan

Rosa Lee Calahan, the daughter of Edgar and Edna (Posvar) Deterding, was born on May 16, 1936, in a farm house on the Wade place on the Thayer-Nuckolls County line near Oak. She died Sept. 12, 2020, at her home in Carleton at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 30 days.

Rosa was baptized at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Ruskin and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Deshler. She joined Zion Lutheran Church in Carleton in 1962. She attended Deshler Parochial and Public School graduating in 1954 and attended Fairbury Junior College receiving her teaching certificate. She worked at the Deshler Broom Factory when she was 16, taught at a country school near Deshler and worked at the Farmers Elevator in Carleton and at Kellwood in Fairbury.

Growing up her nickname was "Stinky" because of the Evening in Paris perfume she wore. Her favorite meal was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. She liked John Wayne movies, and American Bandstand. Her classmates nicknamed her "Stilts" because she was so short. In school she liked reading, English literature and history, but did not like algebra; She played the French horn in band, volleyball in high school and softball in grade school. She enjoyed Girl Scouts, and especially, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfires. She enjoyed going to her grandparents' home, and her time with them, as family was important. Her favorite pets were Sandy, her dog, and Daisy, the cow. Her mother taught her to embroider, sew, knit and bake which became her lifelong hobbies.

She was united in marriage to Don Calahan on Nov. 9, 1957, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Deshler. This union was blessed with four children.

She served as past president of Carleton Women's Club and Zion Women's Group, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher and volunteered at Blue Valley Homes. Rosa enjoyed sewing and had many hours making quilts for Lutheran World Relief and sewing personally for her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Edna; brother, Don Deterding; sister, Arlene Higer; son, Scott; daughter, Lisa Parkhurst; grandsons, Lane Ough and Trinity Parkhurst; brother-in-law, Stan Elledge; and sister-in-law, Eva Deterding.

Survivors include her husband, Don; daughter, Vicki (Robert) Williams of Superior; daughter-in-law, Nancy Calahan of Chandler, Ariz; son, Bruce (Jean) Calahan of Lincoln, Neb .; 12 grandchildren, Stephanie (Mark) Thayer, Daniel (and wife, Rebecca Matulka) Williams, Joel (Sarah) Calahan, Nathaniel (Theresa) Calahan, Amy (Jacob) Rust, Melissa (fiancé Anton) Calahan, Katie (Scott) Bennett, John (Autumn) Calahan, Rebecca and Emilee Calahan; 11 great-grandchildren, Wyatt (fiancé Nicole) Thayer, Mackinley Thayer, Ezra Calahan, August Calahan, Silas Calahan, Henry Rowland, Nathaniel Calahan, Maxwell Rust, Ryan Gonzalez, Craig Bennett and Zachary Bennett; siblings, Kay Elledge of Superior, Jean (Archie) Nyen of Gladstone, Mo., Owen Deterding of York and Roy (Sandra) Deterding of Burlson, Texas; sister-in-law, Connie Deterding of Lincoln, Neb .; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Her funeral was held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 19, from the Zion Lutheran Church in Carleton, with the Rev. Beth Roegner officiating.

Music was congregational hymns "Old Rugged Cross," and "In the Garden," and "Amazing Grace" and "Precious Lord," sung by Stephanie Thayer and John Clahan with Deb Pohlman as the organist.

Private family inurnment was in the Carleton City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to go to Zion Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Neb. 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneral homes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior was in charge of the arrangements.