Rosa Marie Steele

ROSA MARIE STEELE 101, formally of Sutherlin, Oregon, passed away May 21, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. She was born one of five girls and 5 brothers on February 12, 1914 in Stanley, Wisconsin to John and Marcyian Kalata. After graduating from high school in Stanley, Rosa worked in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at a rubber factory where she was in charge of inspecting products that the factory made. In her mid 20's she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked for a grain company as a stock bookkeeper in the office. While she was there her co-workers voter her the best dressed office worker. Rosa left Minneapolis because she wanted to go out West to California. When she was asked why, she said that the weather was supposed to really nice and warm. Rosa was set to go with two girlfriends but they decided to stay because of their boyfriends. She went by herself on the train to Los Angeles, California. Rosa got a job at Harry Willard's Rubber Factory as a Statistician, keeping track of the entire product inventory. She was staying in the YWCA until Harry Willard invited her to live at his mother's house (Aunt Dot). While there she met Aunt Dot's nephew Gale Steele when he came home from the war to visit. Gale and Rosa started dating and got married. After living in California for many years the family moved to Sutherlin, Oregon where Gale and Rosa started a bakery called Rosa Marie's Bakery. Rosa decorated cakes and Gale made donuts. They later sold the bakery and moved to Roseburg, Oregon and opened a larger bakery. Rosa was an avid gardener and spent several hours in it on a daily basis. Survivors include her daughter Dorothy Steele of Portland, Oregon and numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 9:00 AM. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Father Jose Manuel Campos, Celebrant. Interment will follow within the grounds of Roseburg, Memorial Gardens.