Rosalie Iris Farr

Rosalie Farr died of complications related to a long term battle with dementia on April 16, 2024, at the memory unit of Edencrest Nursing Home in Des Moines.  She was born on November 2, 1940, in Roland, Iowa to Ingram Larson and Ina Larson (Swenson).  An only child, she moved with her family to Ames as a child and graduated from Ames High School in 1959.

Rosalie attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1964.  She studied in the School of Home Economics specializing in textiles and clothing.  She was especially good at designing clothing and drawing / painting her designs. Throughout her life, Rosalie continued to draw and sketch – and was very skilled at it.  Out of university, she worked as a fashion illustrator for Younkers for a few years.  After leaving Younkers, she was a social worker for several years.  Then, Rosalie had a long career with Norwest, and subsequently Wells Fargo, as a commercial loan specialist.

Rosalie married Donald Farr in 1971.  After more than 30 years, this relationship ended in divorce.  She attended and was an active member of Windsor Presbyterian Church, singing in its choir.

Rosalie was gregarious and enjoyed talking to people, especially about their backgrounds as she liked to share her proud Norwegian heritage.  Rosalie relished dancing and would engage in this activity whenever she could.

Rosalie loved to travel and took trips to Majorca, Egypt, along the Danube to Budapest, and Norway. She also traveled domestically to mountains, beaches and resort areas like Branson.

Rosalie did not have children but was close to aunts, uncles and cousins and had several long term friendships that were important to her.

Rosalie’s friends described her with these characteristics: friendly, gentle, kind, cheerful; diligent, conscientious, hard-working, loyal; bright, resourceful, reliable, sincere; likable, creative, feminine, amiable.

Thanks to the staff at Edencrest Beaverdale for their care-giving in Rosalie’s last years.  Special thanks to Sherry Martel for years of friendship, companionship, and care that went well above and beyond any reasonable expectation during a time when Rosalie’s dementia prevented her reciprocating in kind.