Merrill E. “Pete” Rose

Merrill E. “Pete” Rose

August 19, 1923 -August 7, 2021

Merrill “Pete” Rose, born August 19, 1923, passed away August 7, 2021.  Preceded in death by parents Ernest and Margaret Rose, brother Frank; sisters, Arlene Steenbock and Yvonne Roberts.  Survived by his dear wife of 70 years, Kathryn “Katie”; daughter, Teri; son, Dave and his wife Cheri; grandsons, Jeff and Alex.

Pete was born in Bellwood, NE and raised in Fairmont.  After high school, he joined the CCC for two years before hitchhiking to California to work at Lockheed Aircraft.  His interest in flying prompted him to join the Army Air Corps.  His top scores had him selected to train fighter pilots, before being discharged in 1946 as 2nd Lieutenant.

After his Army service Pete attended Doane College where he excelled in athletics and academics.  There he met Kathryn Kabley of Crete and they were married a year later.  After graduation, Pete and Katie moved to Geneva where he taught and coached for two years.  They moved to Lincoln where Pete began a distinguished career in Life Insurance – first at Security Mutual and then at Guarantee Mutual after moving to Omaha in 1970.

Pete and Katie were active members of Oak Hills Country Club where they enjoyed playing golf and socializing with many good friends.  Throughout his life Pete was active in sports, refereed high school and college football and basketball, was an avid golfer and skilled card player, enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.  In retirement, Pete was a member of Golden K Kiwanis where he enjoyed reading to 1st graders at Franklin Elementary where he was affectionately known as ‘Grandpa Pete’.

The family will receive friends Thursday, August 12^th from 12noon to 1pm with FUNERAL SERVICE at 1pm, all at the West Center Chapel.  Interment:  Evergreen Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Siena/Francis House.

To view a live broadcast of Funeral Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on our home page.

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Merrill “Pete” Rose, born August 19, 1923, passed away August 7, 2021.  Preceded in death by parents, Ernest and Margaret Rose; brother, Frank; sisters, Arlene Steenbock and Yvonne Roberts.  Survived by his dear wife of 70 years, Kathryn “Katie”; daughter, Teri; son, Dave and his wife Cheri; grandsons, Jeff and Alex. 

Pete was born in Bellwood, NE and raised in Fairmont.  After high school, he joined the CCC for two years before hitchhiking to California to work at Lockheed Aircraft.  His four months at Lockheed were a great time, especially talking to the pilots who test flew each P-38. 

Pete’s interest in flying prompted him to join the Army Air Corps.  His top scores had him selected to train fighter pilots and he had duties in Missouri, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, the islands of Ie Shima, Guam, and Okinawa.  In 1946, he was discharged as 2nd Lieutenant.

After his Army service Pete missed the fall college semester so he obtained certification as a civilian flying instructor and spent the better part of 1946-47 in York where he played baseball with the Aurora team in the Cornhusker Night League. 

Pete began attending Doane College in 1947 where he played quarterback, safety and punter on the football team; point guard in basketball, and pitched on their baseball team.  He also excelled academically and was named “Duke of Doane”.  Late, his younger brother Frank was so honored they became the only two brothers to carry this title. 

In 1950 he met Kathryn Kabley of Crete and they were married a year later.  After graduation, Pete and Katie moved to Geneva where he taught and coached at Geneva High School for two years.  They moved to Lincoln where Pete began a distinguished career in Life Insurance – first at Security Mutual and then at Guarantee Mutual after moving to Omaha in 1970.

Pete and Katie loved to dance at various dance clubs in Lincoln, where they were members of East Hills and then Hillcrest Golf Club.  They bowled and were in bridge clubs.  Pete and Katie have had season tickets to Husker football since 1964.  Pete played recreation league basketball and softball well into his forties.  He was active in his childrens’ lives including coaching, volunteering in Boy Scouts, and competitive racquetball with Teri. 

Yearly family trips to Colorado to visit extended family always include a mid-afternoon stop at a motel so Teri and Dave could enjoy a swim, ice cream cone, and play time at the public park.  The family enjoyed weeks at Vacation Village at Lake Okoboji, kids’ camp at YMCA Camp Kitaki, and at the YMCA camp in Estes Park, CO.  Having fun and adventure was a key priority for Pete and something he passed along to his children. 

Pete and Katie were active members of Omaha’s Oak Hills Country Club where they enjoyed playing golf and socializing with many good friends.  Throughout his life Pete was active in sports.  He refereed high school and small college football and basketball, with a highlight being refereeing the 1962 Shrine Game at Memorial Stadium.  Pete was an avid golfer and skilled card player, enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. 

In retirement, Pete worked hard to stay mentally and physically fit.  He was always quick to raise his hand to volunteer when something needed to be done, especially within their condominium association.  One of his many passions was as a member of Golden K Kiwanis where he enjoyed reading to first graders at Franklin Elementary where he was affectionately known as ‘Grandpa Pete’.