Rosella R. Reiss

rosella reiss
Rosella Regina (Galing) Reiss, age 92, of rural Alta Vista, Iowa, died peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2017, at home surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Alta Vista with Msgr. Carl Schmitt celebrating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery at St. Cecelia, Elma, IA. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017, at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Saturday. Online condolences for Rosella’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family. Rosella was born on December 1, 1924, on the family farm near Alta Vista, the daughter of Herman and Mary (Koci) Galing. She attended country school as well as Immaculate Conception School in North Washington, IA, where she graduated from the eighth grade. She then worked on the family farm until her marriage to Paul Reiss on November 9, 1943, at Immaculate Conception Church in North Washington. Rosella worked diligently beside her husband on the farm where they raised cattle, hogs, chickens, and grain farmed. She also raised geese. She was a nurse’s aide at Chautauqua Rest Home in Charles City in the early 1970s. She enjoyed many hobbies with African violets being her favorite flower as well as many other plants, both indoors and outdoors. Rosella crocheted and embroidered many items with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren being the recipients of many of the pieces. For years, her family enjoyed her homemade cinnamon rolls and kolaches. She was a member of the Rosary Society of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church as well as the Deer Chix Club. Rosella is survived by her sons Paul Reiss of Palm Springs, CA; Edward (Gwen) Reiss of Ellendale, MN; Gerald Reiss of Charles City; her daughters Rita Marie (Chad) Leitch of Dubuque; Janice (Chris) Reiss-Ebert of Davenport; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Paul in 1995; her sons Donald in 1975 and Lawrence in 2005; daughter-in-law Jana (Lawrence) Reiss in 2014; grandson Adam Leitch in 1998. Rosella was also preceded in death by her sisters Agnes Eichenberger, Hilda Zweibohmer, and Helen Geerts, and her brothers Bernard Galing and Henry Galing.

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  1. We wish to extend our sympathy to the Reiss family, your Mom will be missed by many. Know you all have many fond memories to cherish. What a long life she had!

  2. Ebert Family,
    You have our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. May the wonderful and precious memories of Rosella live on in your heart.

    Ron, Patti, Chris and Colleen Iverson

  3. Gerry and family, Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. From the pictures that Gerry showed me of Rosella’s crafty handiwork, it looks like you will all have something to remember her by. Keep those memories alive as you continue telling stories in the coming years. Godspeed!!

  4. I am with you in my thoughts and prayers. She will be missed. She is now at peace. My sympathy to you all. Linda Schmickle, Morganton, NC

  5. I have many fond memories of Aunt Rosella and her family. Her yard was always full of beautiful flowers that made my mother (Anna Zeien, Paul’s sister) just a little jealous. She was a woman of strong faith and great practical wisdom. She did not suffer fools gladly, and was never shy about sharing her opinions. In that, she was an effective role model for many of us young women. I attribute at least part of my own strong faith to her role as my godmother as she and her family demonstrated how to live as a Christian. I am glad she was able to pass peacefully at home with her family around her. I know she will be missed.

  6. Jerry – I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a nice person. My deepest sympathy to you and the family.

  7. May heaven’s flowers always be in bloom and the crochet hooks always in motion for Aunt Rosella. Thank you for always sharing stories of our family’s history. Linda and Jim Kobliska

  8. Playing Twister at their house was the best. It was my second home! Love this lady and her family. They used to call me Squirt! You are loved and missed Rosella. Your third daughter, Valerie (Hendrickson) Anderson

  9. Rita, so sorry to see of your mother’s passing. May knowing others care, help you through this difficult time.

  10. May the memories of your loved one fill your minds today. Rosella was actually my aunts sister and I knew her from church in Alta Vista. All my thoughts and prayers to her family. Jeanne(Geerts) Roder


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