Rose E. Heim, 94, of Cascade, Iowa passed away peacefully Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Rose may call from 3:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Services for Rose will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 18, 2017 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Temple Hill, Iowa, with Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating. Burial will be held in St. Peter's Cemetery in Temple Hill.

Rose was born August 25, 1922 in Galena, IL, daughter of John F. and Ellen E. (Birkbeck) Wolford. She graduated from Galena High School. On December 17, 1942, she was united in marriage to Frank W. Heim at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Galena, Illinois. He preceded her in death on April 19, 2011. Frank was the love of Rose's life, they met on Valentine's Day and were sweethearts ever since. They started out farming in Galena, IL, later Cuba City, WI and finally in 1949 settled in the Temple Hill, IA area. They were pillars of the Temple Hill parish; Rose was the oldest member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. They raised 12 children together. No mother loved or was prouder of her children than Rose. She loved to share her family stories and her "accordion" of family photos that she always carried in her purse with anyone who had time to look and listen. She never met a stranger and always saw the good in everyone. Everyone was welcome in her home and there was always a place at her table for one more. Rose was an amazing home maker and cook, famous for her beef and noodle soup, sewing and canning skills. After retirement, Rose and Frank spent time traveling the United States visiting family, including a trip to Alaska.

Rose's family was close and never ran out of occasions for family gatherings. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was a caring, devoted, loving wife and mother. She will be missed by many but they will be comforted knowing she is reunited with Frank once again.

She is survived by twelve children, Francis (Donna) Heim of Dunkerton, IA, Jim (Barbara) Heim of San Antonio, TX, Dave (Marvel) Heim of Cascade, IA, Bob (Phyllis) Heim of Poplar Grove, IL, Tom (Soila) Heim of Garden Prairie, IL, Mary (Ben) Beard of Monmouth, OR, Darlene (Roger) Ritt of Bankston, IA, Marlene (Rick) Jones of Dubuque, IA, Paul (Cindy) Heim of Onslow, IA, Bill (Laura) Heim of Camden, TN, Kenny (Itza) Heim of Cascade, IA, Beth (Randy) Wedewer of Epworth, IA; 41 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Viola Roling of Benton, WI; one brother-in-law, Al Halweg of Mercer, WI.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister, Hazel Wolford; one brother, Lloyd Wolford; and many sisters and brothers-in-law.

In lieu of flowers a Rose E. Heim memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to thank the staff at Shady Rest Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care and support that they gave Rose.