Rosemary (Gloeb) Dougherty

Services: Saturday, August 24, 2024, 10:00 A. M., Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 2nd Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Rosemary Gloeb Dougherty, 95 of Glenwood, Iowa, formerly of Lenox, Iowa, passed away at her home surrounded by love on August 20, 2024. Rose was born November 1, 1928, on All Saints Day (which she teased was no coincidence) in Omaha, Nebraska, to Michael Peter and Alice Anna (Barnash) Gloeb. Following graduation from South High School, she attended an art academy program in Chicago. 

Rose married the love of her life, Duane Dean Dougherty, on July 14, 1951, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Omaha, Nebraska. To this union six children were born, Rosanne, Marianne, Duane M., Mark J., Kathleen and Teresa M. Rose was a devoted farm wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to her family.

Rose and Duane loved to polka – from the first time their eyes met at a polka dance at Sokol Hall in Omaha. Faith was always a focal point in Rose’s life, and she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a fantastic gardener and did a lot of canning, working very hard through the years. She used her creative flare in many ways, including her sewing projects, paintings and pencil drawings, capturing beautiful moments with her photography, and even in some creative recipes she used her own special improvising on. But most of all, Rose was best at serving God by loving others. She took genuine interest in each person’s life story, who they were, and their dreams. She listened well and spoke freely from her heart. And if you knew her, pretty soon you would feel like “family”. And with Rose, hugs were mandatory. She had a fun-loving sense of humor that she strategically used to bring joy and laughter into the lives of others – many times when they needed it most. Rose was truly the hands and feet of Christ to those who knew her.

For many years Rose and Duane divided their time between their homes in Lenox and Glenwood, but no matter where they were – as long as they were together, they were “home”. They enjoyed 73 years together and created a legacy through their loving marriage. Rose’s eyes would light up any time she saw one of her grandchildren or great grandchildren (and she knew each of them not only by name, but also by their unique personality and interests). But her eyes would light up the most when she would see her beloved husband, Duane. 

Preceding Rosemary in passing were her parents, sisters (the two other “Gloeb Gems”) Jean (Larry) Koneck and Louise (Jim) Overfelt and brother Michael “Uncle Mick” Gloeb. Survivors include her husband Duane D. Dougherty of Glenwood, Iowa; children Rosanne (Richard) Lubbert of Bellevue, Nebraska; Marianne (Marty) Dolphens of Papillion, Nebraska; Duane M. (Evelyn) Dougherty of Corning, Iowa; Mark J. Dougherty of Des Moines, Iowa; Kathleen (Barry) Loeffelbein of Glenwood, Iowa; Teresa M. (George) Bledsoe of Glenwood, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way!); many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank each and every amazing health care worker from Jenny Edmondson Hospital, St. Croix Hospice, and Comfort Keepers. You have all been such a blessing and are now “family”, too.

As Rose’s life here on earth was nearing its end, she commented that “we are starting a new chapter.” When asked what she would call this new chapter, she thought for a moment, and said, “Home”. We know you are “Home” now, Rose, in a place more beautiful than we could even imagine. We will miss you, and we will hold you in our hearts forever. . .  Until we meet again. ❤️🙏❤️

Interment: Grove Cemetery, 2400-2598 130th Street, Lenox, Iowa 50851, 2:00 p.m. Saturday August 24, 2024.

Memorial donations may be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church or the Glenwood Volunteer Fire Association.