Rosalie L. Garrison

Rosalie was born on a farm west of Hamilton, Kansas on August 24, 1931. She was the oldest of six children born to her parents, Jay and Millie Hollis. At the age of six months, she moved with her family to a farm in Gove County, KS. The family later returned to Greenwood County when that farm was devastated by the dust bowl.

Rosalie attended Ruweda Grade School through eighth grade. She attended Hamilton High School for three years, then married Jim Garrison on June 29, 1948. They lived northwest of Eureka, KS in the Upper Fall River Area until they eventually moved to Eureka. They shared 69 years of marriage before Jim passed away in 2017

At the age of 35, Rosalie earned her GED. She began working as a nurse aid at the Lyndon Nursing home in Eureka, KS. She went on to graduate from nursing school with honors, and eventually rose to the position of nursing home administrator. She retired at the age of 61, as an administrator, and later worked at the Greenwood County Register of Deeds office.

Rosalie’s desire to help others was ever present. Along with providing intermittent care for several nieces and nephews, and after raising their own five children, Jim’s niece Tammy Howell Garrison came to live with Jim and Rosalie for several years. Later in life, Rosalie worked as a caregiver for several people in the area, providing overnight care if needed. She provided care for her uncle, Elmer Hollis, who suffered from leukemia and epilepsy. She also helped care for her brother-in-law Donald Garrison in his later years. Rosalie provided (as needed) sound advice, a shoulder to cry on, or the loan of a few dollars for friends and employees.

Rosalie was a dedicated member of Christ Lutheran Church in Eureka, KS, serving as a member of the church council, teaching Sunday school, and staying active in the women’s ministry organization WELCA. Rosalie was a member of the Flint Hills quilters guild, which fit nicely with her church activities, as she made approximately 85 quilts for Lutheran World Relief and assisted in the making of several quilts over the years for the church bazaar.

Rosalie was a member of the Greenwood County Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed her time working in the gift shop. Rosalie enjoyed crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, reading, beating Jim at dominoes, and watching Wheel of Fortune.

Following Jim’s death, Rosalie continued to live independently in Eureka until she moved to Overland Park, KS to live with her son Joseph and daughter-in-law Ann in 2020.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband James N. Garrison; her parents Jay and Millie Hollis; and a sister Nellie Jane Taylor.

Rosalie is survived by her five children: Lucinda Beck of Broken Arrow OK; Charles Garrison (Pat) of El Dorado KS; David Garrison (Debbie) of Reading, KS; Joseph Garrison (Ann) of Overland Park, KS; and Rebecca Claflin (Mike) of Wakita, OK.

Rosalie is survived by two brothers: Marvin Hollis of rural Hamilton, KS and Ralph Hollis (Connie) of Greenville, TX; two sisters: Annie Kepley of Humboldt, KS and Frances Brewer of Hermitage, MO. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 17 nieces/nephews, and multiple cousins.

Funeral services are planned for 11:00 A.M., Thursday , June 20, 2024 at the Christ Lutheran Church In Eureka. Burial will follow services at the Upper Fall River Cemetery north of Eureka where she will be joining her beloved Jim. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Greenwood County Hospital Auxiliary and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box #488, Madison, Kansas 66860.