Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Rose Marie (Deeter) Alsum went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, April 29, 2024 surrounded by those she loved.
Rose was born on Jan. 17, 1940 in Bellingham to Oliver and Margaret (Minaker) Deeter. She was one of six children living in their small Everson home. Rose attended Nooksack High school through the 11th grade.
After a bottle of Coke and a short courtship, Rose married Jim Alsum on June 7, 1957.
Hospitality was her love language. Rose loved a warm, welcoming and beautiful home. She embraced joy as she taught us how to make our own beds with perfect sheet corners or scrubbing and polishing floors. She was an example to many girls on how to love Jesus, love your husband and family and keep joy in your heart while taking care of your home.
Rose adored children. She was a loving mother to her own children, Margie, Jean, John, Ken, and Ron, and she also spent time with and cared for neighborhood children, church children, and those who needed a place to stay for awhile.
Rose loved music. She was self-taught on the piano, organ and accordion, and she sang in the church choir. She enjoyed traveling and swimming whether in a pool, the Nooksack River, or on beaches around the world.
Rose and Jim had a heart for Hispanic people and missions in Mexico. They joined the Barnabas Association; encouraging pastors and their wives, bringing Bibles, Bonnie Blankets, food and clothing, and work groups to build churches and other special projects.
Rose is preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law John and Elsie Alsum, brothers, Irvin (Rosalie), Richard, and Bernard Deeter; sister Loretta (Herald) Slocum, sister-in-law Selma (Roger) Handyside and grandson Jared Jones.
Rose is survived by her loving husband of 66 years Jim Alsum, children Margie (Jerry) Struiksma, Jean Jones, John (Cindy) Alsum, Ken (Tammy) Alsum and Ron (Geri) Alsum; grandchildren Justin and Katie Struiksma, Christopher and Elisabeth Struiksma, Joshua and Chelsea Struiksma, Zac and Bethany Higman, Troy and Katelyn Nelson, Jess and Jackie Alsum, Jacob and Chelsea Alsum, James and Hazel Alsum, Brittney Alsum, Jake and Kendra Hittinger, Marcus and Teanna Franklin, Thomas and Jessica Alsum, Isaiah and Maddie Alsum, Eli Alsum, Sawyer Alsum, and Finlee Alsum. And great-grandchildren Alexa, Noah, Carson, Lincoln, Jaylin, Elliott, Scarlett, Asher, Stassi, Stormi, Brodie, Baker, Hunter, Skylar, Tyler, Thaddaeus, Judah, Keira, Owen, Zacchaeus, Emma, Maisie, Lucy, Petra, Caleb, Everly, Titus, Oliver, Charles, Alexander, Avery, Benjamin, Elayna and one more baby boy on the way.
She will be greatly missed by her sister Gladys Abidia, sisters-in-law Shirley Deeter and Beverly Deeter, brother-in-law Myron and Connie Alsum and numerous other family and friends.
The family wishes to thank the staff in Memory Care in Lynden Manor, and Whatcom Hospice, with a special thanks to Mackenzie Vis and Roxanne Telling for your loving and gentle care for our wife, mom and grandma.
Rose exemplified the traits of the Proverbs 31 woman. She took care of her home and her family all to the glory of God.
The family invites you for a time of visitation on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home. A private family graveside will be in Monumenta Cemetery on Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service at Grace Baptist Fellowship, Lynden.
Memorials may be sent to The Barnabas Association P.O. Box 5195, Yuma AZ 85366 or the Grace Baptist Fellowship Missions Fund, 338 N Park St, Lynden, WA 98264
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
