ROSA L. (MARCH) BRIGGS

Rosa Luella (March) Briggs, was born March 9, 1933, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Julius William and Winnie Columbia (Maxwell) March. Her family then relocated to rural Nodaway, Iowa, where Rosa received her education. Rosa loved playing high school basketball and singing with her sister, Emma Jeanne, for various functions.

On August 8, 1948, Rosa was united in marriage to Dale Bernard Briggs in Doland, South Dakota. The couple returned to Iowa and started their family. While raising five children, Rosa also held a number of jobs over the years. During the family’s years in Denison, Iowa, she was the Manager of Cronks Café while she and Dale owned Dale’s Standard and then the Crouse Cartage depot. In 1974, they relocated to Rock Port, Missouri, to manage a trucking company. Several years later, Dale and Rosa established Trans East, Inc. Rosa dispatched and managed the company, making friends with so many along the way. Many came to look to Rosa as a mom. Her heart was always big enough to love anyone who needed her.

Dale and Rosa loved to fish and garden. She spent many late nights canning the vegetables they had grown. Rosa continued to help Gail with the dispatch until her passing. Rosa was adored by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was often referred to as the “fun grandma.”

Rosa passed away on her 86th birthday, March 9, 2019, at a care facility in Auburn, Nebraska. She will always be remembered for singing the birthday song to all her loved ones first thing in the morning on their special day.

Rosa is survived by son, Gregory Briggs and wife, JoAnne, Tucson, Arizona, daughter-in-law, Sarah T. Briggs, Bemidji, Minnesota, daughters, Gail Briggs and Arlen Rippe, Watson, Missouri, and Gina Long and husband, Craig, Auburn, and son, Don Briggs and wife, Sherry, Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Emma Jeanne Shipley, Nodaway, Iowa; brother, David March and wife, Sherry, Hale, Missouri; sisters-in law, Thelma March, Hot Springs, South Dakota, Grayce March, Oakland, California, Alice Bates, Clarinda, Iowa, Elaine Tuttle and husband, Bob, Quinter, Kansas, Ruth Siefert and husband, Richard, Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Reva Oakes and husband, Jim, Zearing, Iowa; 16 grandchildren and step grandchildren and their spouses; 26 greatgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and very special friends.

In addition to her parents, Rosa was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, son, Warden Dale Briggs, brothers, William and Jerald March, and infant sister, Irene March.

A celebration of life memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Memorials: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hearts United for Animals.

Cremation Arrangements: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. www.minterfuneralchapels.com