Cover photo for Emma "Rose" Gibbs's Obituary
Emma "Rose" Gibbs Profile Photo
1934 Emma 2021

Emma "Rose" Gibbs

June 6, 1934 — October 19, 2021

Rosie was born June 6, 1934, to Sam and Charlotte (Thomas) Gibbs. She was the middle child, with an older brother, John and a younger sister, Phyllis. She grew up in the South End of Council Bluffs, during the Depression. She related that her mother sewed her first school clothes out of saved feed sacks. She attended Longfellow School, Bloomer School and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1952. Friendships formed in her school years lasted throughout her life, and she attended monthly luncheons with classmates until the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

During her teen years, Rosie helped out at her father's service station, pumping gas, changing oil and helping with tires. She also worked at Bob Pyles Photography Studio and Warford Jewelry during high school.

Rosie had two children by her marriage to James "Clayton" Murphy: a daughter, Barbara and a son, James, Jr.

Rosie was a hard worker. She was a homemaker for many years before rejoining the work force. Her jobs included Nutrition Aide for Iowa State University, Pottawattamie County Dog Catcher (28 years), Underwood School Bus Driver (32 years), coach cleaner for Continental Trailways Passenger Buses (20 years), and working for a cleaning service. She helped her father maintain his rental properties and also maintained her own rental properties.

Rosie was involved with the UMBA Board, in Underwood, Iowa. She was a Girl Scout as a young girl, and later became a troop leader, camp leader, and served as a Nishnabotna Girl Scout Council Neighborhood Chairman. For many years she raised and showed pure bred rabbits, traveling to many areas of the Midwest to shows and conventions. Rosie raised many breeds of pure bred dogs. She enjoyed camping and Southern Gospel music and traveled to most of the lower 48 states and Canada and attended many Gospel festivals and concerts. She enjoyed researching and documenting family history and ancestry.

Rosie was a "fixer". She was very determined and would move mountains to accomplish her plan. If you had a problem she would try to figure out a solution, giving of her time, possessions or resources. She was generous to a fault. If you needed a place to stay, she gave you a warm bed. If you visited her home or camper, you never left without a snack, a hot meal, or a cup of coffee (although she never drank any herself). She remembers times of hunger during her growing up years, and vowed to never go hungry again, nor to let anyone else go hungry. Her cabinets and pantry were always fully stocked. Rosie was an avid food preserver and canned many jars of produce.

Rosie endured many health challenges throughout her life. She survived thyroid cancer and kidney cancer, resulting in the need for dialysis. She was on dialysis for 19-1/2 years, which is something of a record. Barb was her primary care giver, doing home hemodialysis for 16-1/2 years and she resided with Barb for the last 10 years.

Rosie was promoted into Heaven and into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 19, 2021, at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother. She will be lovingly remembered by her family. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Chuck) Kerber; son, James (Darci) Murphy, Jr.; Grandchildren: Zach (Jennifer) Kerber, Megan (Scott) Sockel, Josh Murphy, Shane (Lana) Murphy; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Phyllis (Bill) Klaudt; aunt, Betty Frieze; several nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends.

John 14:2-3. Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM with memory sharing starting at 3:00 PM.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, October 24, 2021

2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)

Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home and Crematory

1221 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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