Rosie Stricker Derr, 95, long time resident of Mitchell passed away Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Spring Creek Health Care Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. Funeral services will be Thursday, October 7, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at Jones Mortuary, Mitchell, Nebraska with Pastor Rick Reisig officiating. Family and friends who wish may view Thursday October 7, 2010, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill, NE. Rosie was born on January 22, 1915 in Scottsbluff County to Frederick and Anna Margaret Melcher Stricker. She married Reuben Derr on January 16, 1932 in Gering, NE. 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 she was fondly known as Grandma Rosie by the children. She crocheted many lap robes and gave them to residents at Mitchell Care Center and crocheted afghans for her family. Rosie 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, Nebraska. 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. She is survived by her son, Reuben Allen (Kathy) of Brighton, Colorado; daughter, Sylvia (Kenneth) Koleber; of Denton Texas; daughter, Janice Koleber of Fort Collins, Colorado; sisters, Lillian Backer, Lydia Jackson, Martha Leikam, Alvina (Gene) Bennett, sisters-in-law Elsie Stricker; Lydia Stricker, eleven grandchildren, eleven great- grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren, many nephews and nieces. Rosie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reuben; daughter Gloria Elquest; seven brothers and five sisters.