Rose A. Payne

Rosealie Ann Payne, 75 died Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the Washington County Hospital. A funeral service was held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at the Washington Christian Church. Pastor John Frey officiated. Gay Lynn Manning played the organ while the congregation sang “Amazing Grace” and “In the Garden”. The pallbearers were Dave Curtis, Dan Steiner, Dale Westbrook, Mark Schmidt, Scott Schmidt, Barb Westbrook, Milt Steiner, Alan Novotny and Betty Novotny. The honorary pallbearers were Richard Hill, Brent Eickholt, Kelsey Meacham, Jackie Nault, Billy Meacham, Blake Meacham, Lori Eickholt, Ron Iwohn and Stephanie Springer. Burial was in the Steele City Cemetery, Steele City, Nebraska. Rose was born to Arthur and Rose (Boehmer) Steiner on August 28, 1934 at Pawnee City, Nebraska. She graduated from the Odell High School and taught school east of Steele City until her marriage to Ralph Payne on November 21, 1952. They farmed near Steele City and Rose worked for Dr. Morgan. She and Ralph moved to Washington in 1966 and has lived in the same house. She worked for Bob’s Locker, Hasslers Cafe, and Boogarts (Schoen’s.) She and Ralph bought the Western Auto Store in 1969 and operated it until 1990. In later years she worked at the Homestead Nursing Home and at Marcon Pies. In her spare time she raised a garden, canned the produce and fruit, worked crossword puzzles, read cookbooks and bird watched. She especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. Rose was a member of the Campbell-Klein American Legion Auxiliary #349 in Steele City, NE; Ladies Auxiliary #2699 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marysville, KS; the Christian Church of Washington, KS and the Washington County Saddle Club and Rodeo Assn of Washington, KS. Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ralph in 2007; one son-in-law, Richard Hill; and two sisters, Ivadell Sohl and Ila Mae Curtis. Survivors include two daughters, Debra Hill and her companion, Gary Heit of Washington, D’Ete Meacham and husband Tim of Sioux City, Iowa; a sister, Charlene Schmidt and husband Richard of Lakewood, Colorado; a brother, Charles Steiner and wife Dana of Gretna, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Berdine Payne of Steele City, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Stephanie Springer of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Richard Hill of Washington, Lori Eickholt and husband Brent, Sioux City, Iowa, Kelsey Meacham, LaVista, Nebraska and Billy Meacham and Blake Meacham of Sioux City, Iowa; and six great grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rose A. Payne, please visit our flower store.