Rose Marie “Grandma Rose” (Covey) Hill, age 87, of Cassopolis, entered Heaven’s gates Thursday, April 28, 2016 in the peace and comfort of the presence of her family.

She was born Jan. 28, 1929, in Parkville, Michigan, the fourth of five children to Herbert and Anna (Larson) Ornstedt.

A consummate mother and homemaker, Rose was also an excellent cook, who not only enjoyed preparing meals for friends and family, but also was known by many in the community for her cooking at several local eateries, including as owner/operator of Rosie’s Fillin’ Station in Edwardsburg. Given the chance to meet Governor Granholm in person in 2007, Rose didn’t hesitate to present her with some of her home cooked chicken and noodles and promptly received a letter from the Governor stating that they were the best she had ever tasted and were proclaimed by her as “the best in Michigan.”

Many in the community remembered Rose as their school bus driver as she drove more than one generation of children to school in Cassopolis. Over the years Rose devoted much of her time to raising not only her children, but was actively involved with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. All knew that they could depend on Grandma Rose and her little red car to faithfully transport them anywhere they needed to be. She also loved drives through the local country side, spending time at the local library, and was also known to enjoy a good baseball game or NASCAR race. Devoted to her wild birds and squirrels, she had some of the most rotund squirrels in the neighborhood. Rose had an unwavering faith in God, and was a faithful parishioner of Saint Ann Catholic Church since 1960.

On July 23, 1948, Rose married Daniel Covey, who preceded her in death Nov. 5, 1991. She was also predeceased by her two sisters, Marie Kennedy, Margaret Johnson, and two brothers, Herbert Ornstedt and Charles Ornstedt.

Rose will be greatly missed by family and friends. Left to honor her and remember her love are her daughter and son in law, Renay and Joseph Suseland of Cassopolis; two sons and daughters in law, Daniel Covey and Sheryl Papandria of Jones, Dean and Callie Covey of Cassopolis; six grandchildren, Michael (wife, Buffy) Freudenburg of Niles, Andrea (husband, Josh) Whitney of Mooresville, Indiana, Blaise Suseland of Cassopolis, Gabe (wife, Sabrija) Covey of Holt, Michigan, Aaron (wife, Rebecca) Covey of South Bend, Indiana, and Sara (husband, Dave) Nixon of Elkhart, Indiana; 10 beloved great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 4 until 7 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis. A Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 6, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. in Saint Ann Catholic Church, 421 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, with calling from 10:30 until time of Mass at 11:30 a.m. Mrs. Hill will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis, Michigan. The Reverend Father Joseph McCormick will be officiating.

The family prefers contributions in Rose’s memory be made to either, Grace Hospice, 2725 Airview Boulevard, Portage, Michigan 49002, or, Cass County Council on Aging, Post Office Box 5, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or, Cass District Library, 319 M 62, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

The family is especially thankful to the “angels here on earth,” Grace Hospice, for the excellent care that they provide that brought comfort to Rose and her family during her time of need.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.