Obituary of Rose Pickard

View Video Tribute On Monday, February 16, 2009 Rose Mary (Tanner) Pickard went to be with her Lord and Savior. In her 88 years, she touched the lives of all those blessed to know her. Rose was born to Daniel Joseph and Mary Lenore Tanner on November 14, 1920 in their home south of Vona. She joined siblings Leslie, Elsie, Ralph and Forest. She accepted Christ as her Savior as was baptized in the Mennonite Church south of Vona. Rose attended church throughout her life, taught Sunday school to countless children and played the organ and piano for services. Through her exemplary Christian leadership, she served as a positive role model to others. Her positive outlook was infectious; she had a kind word for everyone and graciously encouraged others to do the same. To know her was to aspire to be a better person. Rose attended Pleasant Valley School and graduated from Vona High School when she was 16. She went on to Greeley’s Teacher College to earn her teaching certificate. At the age of 18, she began teaching grades 1st though 8th at Ashview Country School. She taught for two years until her marriage to Harold Pickard on May 4, 1941. They began their long, happy union in a 3-room sod house north of Vona. Soon they purchased land and a house four miles south of Vona. In that home, they raised their three children. Don was born in 1942, Larry in 1945 and Karen in 1950. Throughout her life on the farm, Rose worked side by side with Harold driving trucks, tractors, or tackling whatever job needed to be done, no matter how tough. Together, they built a strong, loving family and a successful farm/ranch operation. In 1974, Harold and Rose moved to an irrigated farm near Idalia. They spent 30 years there and retired in Burlington in 2004. Rose was always on hand to cook wonderful meals for family, friends and farm-hands. Her homemade ice cream was legendary and no family gathering was complete without it. As her children grew older, Rose returned to the classroom and taught school in Vona for several years. She also gave piano lessons to many, many children. She loved being around young people and spent hours babysitting her nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Rose was preceded in death by her parents, her four siblings and her two sons, Don and Larry. Those who will miss her are husband Harold of the home in Burlington, her daughter and son-in-law Karen and Dennis Town of Stratton; and her grandchildren and their families; Chad (Jessica) Towns and Dax, Kye and Tate of Idalia; Camilla (Brad) Green and Kennedy of Hartley, TX; Sydney (Mark) Nehler and Owen of Denver, Kirsten Dorenkamp (Fiance Scott) and Konner of Salina, KS; Megan (Clay) Tallmadge, Hayden and Kayla of Mancos, CO; Grant Pickard of West Chester, OH; Wade Pickard and Philip of Aurora. There are many other family members and friends who will miss her as well. She was an inspiration to all and great comfort is found in the loving memories she created. Funeral services for Rose were held on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Burlington with Pastor Gary Bazer officiating. Burial followed in the Vona Cemetery in Vona, Colorado. Visitation was held on Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Memorials may be made in Rose’s name to Every Home for Christ and may be left at or sent to the Bank of Burlington, Burlington, Colorado.