It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Rose Bartlett of Steelville, MO — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
What follows is a brief look at the life her family wishes to share.
Rose held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Faith is the language some lives are written in. Rose's was one.
Edna "Rose" Bartlett, of Steelville, MO, was born on Wednesday, July 28, 1943, in Portage Des Sioux, MO, to William Joseph Broeker and Ruby Leona Broeker, nee Johnson. She passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Washington, MO, at the age of 82 years, 9 months and 6 days. Rose lived a life full of spirit, strength, and deep love for the people around her. She attended school in St. Charles, Missouri, and went on to work as a dedicated machine operator for John Harlan Check Printing. She took pride in her work, though her health eventually led her to retire earlier than she would have liked.
Her greatest joy in life was her family. Her two daughters, Kimberly and Tamara, were truly her world. Everything she did, she did with them in her heart. That love only grew when she later married the love of her life, William "Bill" Robert Bartlett, on March 28, 1980, in Fort Worth, Texas. Together, they built a life rooted in love, laughter, and companionship.
Rose was a woman of faith and a member of the Lutheran church. She found joy in life's simple pleasures-dancing, music, and especially her admiration for Elvis Presley. If there was music playing, you could bet Rose was either tapping her foot or ready to dance. She was active and social, spending time in her bowling league and enjoying the outdoors through fishing and gardening. Her garden was a special place to her, and she had a particular love for her lantanas, which seemed to thrive under her care-just like the people around her. Her nurturing spirit also extended to her four-legged companions over the years. Rose held a deep, lifelong passion for her dogs, Bo, Petie, and Buddy. They were cherished members of her family who preceded her in death. Rose had a personality you could never forget. She was bossy, a little spicy, and never shy about telling her family exactly what to do. But that was her way of loving-strong, protective, and always involved. She kept everyone on their toes, and truthfully, life wouldn't have been the same without her voice guiding the way.
Above all else, Rose adored her family. The time she spent with them meant everything to her, and those moments are now treasured memories that will live on in all who knew her.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, laughter, and a little bit of sass-a combination that made her uniquely and wonderfully Rose. She was preceded in death by her father, William Broeker; mother, Ruby (husband, Tony) Schobernd; parents-in-law, Elmer and Lois Bartlett; siblings, Richard Broeker, Melvin (wife, Shirley) Broeker, Harlan Broeker, Viola Broeker and Lee (husband, Charles) Potts; brother-in-law, R.L. Smith; and grandson, Justin Parrett. Edna is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, William "Bill" Bartlett of Steelville, MO; daughters, Kimberly (husband, Johnny) Harmon and Tamara "Tami" (husband, Johnny) Evans both of Steelville, MO; siblings, James (wife, Karen) Broeker of Troy, MO, Mae Smith of Fort Worth, TX and Bill (wife, Carol) Broeker of Lake of the Ozarks, MO; sister-in-law, Glenda Broeker of St. Charles, MO; 7 grandchildren: Brandi (husband, Jared) Housewright, Jarod (wife, Jennifer) Harmon, Jaime (husband, Joshua) Buckles and Codi Harmon all of Steelville, MO, Joshua (wife, Wendy) Dotson of Lothian, MD and Tara Dotson of Hollywood, MD; 14 great grandchildren, Waylen (wife, Chasity) Housewright, Whitley Housewright (fiancé Derek Richards), Wiley Housewright, Trevor Gilmore, Trenton Gilmore (fiancé, Brooklynn Lay), Carsyn Ziegler, Douglas (wife, Jess) Harmon, Gabriel White, Kaitlyn Harmon, Jersey Jones, Austin Dotson, Alisyn Dotson, Everly Quade, and Gunner Quade,; 8 great great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation is from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral Service will immediately follow at 1:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Burial is at Steelville Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.
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