Rose Marie Gawart, 86, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2016 at her home. Rose was born on January 29, 1929 to Herman & Alma Huss, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. She was united in marriage with Carl C. Gawart on August 22, 1956, who preceded her in death in 1991. Together, they had seven children: C. Kent (Karen Smant) Gawart of Grand Rapids, MI; Chris Gawart of Milwaukee, WI; Clint (Kim) Gawart of Chesterfield, MO; Cristy Gawart - deceased; Craig (Susan) Gawart of Lakewood, IL; Cindy (Jim) Owen of Galesburg, MI; and Cecilia (Rahjah) Stahlhood of Battle Creek, MI. Along with her children, she is survived by 12 grandchildren: Abigail and Zachary Gawart; Alyssa and Nicholas Gawart; Phillip, Emily, Connor, and Madison Owen; Heather, Rahjah, Kadyn, and Aleena Stahlhood; and her siblings: Norma (Delbert - deceased) Wellsandt; Ruby (Leonard) Meyer; Alice (Rinehart) Kruse; and Darrell (Cheryl) Huss; sister-in-law Carol Ann (Harry - deceased) Clark; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to Carl, Cristy, and her parents, Rose was preceded in death by Carl's parents, Fred and Ina Gawart, his brothers John (Elfrieda) Gawart, Frederick Gawart, Herman (Wilma) Gawart, and sisters Ina (Wilhelm) Mehlhop, Mabel (George) Elya, Lena (Carl) Glockel, Irene (Val) Crume, and Betty Lou (Walter) Huss.

Rose moved to the Battle Creek area in 1965, where she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and role model for those around her. She became very active in girl scouts and boy scouts and was awarded the Silver Beaver, a distinguished service award bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America. She worked diligently at JC Penney’s department store from 1976 until retiring in November of 2003. Since the death of her husband in 1991, Rose volunteered countless hours with the Hospice Residence of Battle Creek, and remained continuously involved and supportive in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and friends. She was the brightest and most beautiful light in the life of many and will be greatly missed.

Visitation and Funeral Service will be held at Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service in Battle Creek, MI. Visitation will be on Wednesday January 13, 2016 from 5-8pm. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday January 14, 2016 at 11am. Burial will take place at Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

Memorial donations may go to the Carl C. Gawart Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Battle Creek Community Foundation or Bronson at Home Hospice Residence in memory of Rose M. Gawart.

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