Derr, Rosie Stricker, Jan. 22, 1915- Oct. 2, 2010 Scottsbluff Star Herald Scottsbluff, NE 7 Oct 2010 MITCHELL - Rosie Stricker Derr, 95, longtime resident of Mitchell passed away Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010 at Spring Creek Health Care Center in Fort Collins, Colo. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at Jones Mortuary in Mitchell with Pastor Rick Reisig officiating. Family and friends who wish may view Thursday, Oct. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill. Online condolences may be left at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell is in charge of arrangements. Rosie was born on Jan. 22, 1915, in Scotts Bluff County to Frederick and Anna Margaret Melcher Stricker. She married Reuben Derr on Jan. 16, 1932, in Gering. They worked and farmed together on several farms in the Mitchell, Morrill area until they moved into Mitchell in 1945 and purchased the D and D Tavern, which they operated for ten years. After selling the tavern, Rosie contributed to the family income by cleaning houses for several families in Mitchell. Some of her clients were Dr. and Mrs. Hoagland, Mrs. Bess Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Whitmore, Dr. and Mrs. John Shafer. Rosie was employed as a Grandparent for the Mitchell Elementary School for several years where the children fondly knew her as Grandma Rosie. She crocheted many lap robes and gave them to residents at Mitchell Care Center and crocheted afghans for her family. She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, which she used in the service of her Lord and Savior. Rosie was a life long member of St. Paul's Church in Mitchell. She held numerous positions in the Women's Guild and Sunday School. Rosie sang in the choir and when the choir ceased to exist she was the soloist every Sunday. She recorded several religious tapes with Mrs. Brost, the minister's wife. Many times Rosie was asked to sing at funerals and often was asked to sing a German hymn for their loved one. Survivors include her son, Reuben Allen (Kathy) of Brighton, Colo.; daughter, Sylvia (Kenneth) Koleber of Denton, Texas; daughter, Janice Koleber of Fort Collins, Colo.; sisters, Lillian Backer, Lydia Jackson, Martha Leikam, Alvina (Gene) Bennett; sisters-in-law, Elsie Stricker and Lydia Stricker; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. Preceding Rosie in death were her parents; her husband, Reuben; daughter, Gloria Elquest; seven brothers and five sisters.