Rose M Defenbach

Our mother, Rose Marie Defenbach, 87, of Boise, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, from cancer.
Rose was born September 7, 1930 to Paul Winniford Hyatt and Melissa Margaret McCollum Hyatt at Orofino, Idaho. Rose spent most of her formative years in Lewiston, Idaho, graduating from Lewiston High School. She attended Lewis Clark State College (then Lewis Clark Normal School), and graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and an elementary school teaching credential. She taught school at Craigmont, Idaho for a year, and on December 13, 1952, Rose married Will Sheridan Defenbach at Moscow, Idaho. Her three oldest children, Byron, Philip, and Jane were born at Moscow, while Will practiced law.
The family moved to Boise, Idaho in 1958, and her two youngest children, Mary and Charlotte, were born there. Rose was a loving and patient mother and wife, who took great pride in her children, and always provided her loyal and unflagging support to her husband, Will, throughout his career and life. Will passed away in 2001, and Rose enjoyed her much-deserved retirement, as well as her growing number of grandchildren – Caitlin Merrick, Scott Defenbach, Kellie Garcia (Daniel), Andy Baker, Aaron and Holly Bossart, and Laura Braden (Jason). She welcomed her first great-granddaughter, Jubilee Rose Merrick, into her flock in 2014. Fraternal-twin great-granddaughters Gabriela Marlene Garcia and Jane Charlotte Garcia arrived just a couple weeks before her passing. Throughout her life, her brilliant mind, intelligence, and love of literature sustained her spirit, and never left her.
Rose is survived by her sons, Byron Paul Defenbach (Pamela) and Philip Sheridan Defenbach (Rava), and by her three daughters, Jane Gerard Baker, Mary Elizabeth Bossart (Kurt), and Charlotte Anne Brooks. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her two younger brothers, James Jerome Hyatt, and John Roderick Hyatt.
Rose’s family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to The Cottages Assisted Living of Boise, where Rose resided and relaxed for the last three years of her life. They took great care of Mom, and always expressed their affection and appreciation for her kind, never-complaining nature. Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to First Choice Home Health and Hospice for helping us get our Mother away from her pain, and into Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boise Rescue Mission in memory of Will and Rose Defenbach. A private graveside ceremony will be conducted Monday, November 27th at Dry Creek Cemetery, Boise, Idaho.