Rose Upton

Rose M. Upton was a self-made woman, shaped by the values of her time and inspired by the vigor of her own spirit. She came of age during economic depression, yet stepped into her world with an attitude of optimism. Her endeavors with family and work, leisure and travel were filled with excitement as well as humble satisfaction for the good things of life.

Rose was born to William and Alice (O’Connor) Thompson in Gratiot County, Michigan on September 20, 1916. Americans had re-elected Woodrow Wilson because they hoped he would continue to keep them out of the war in Europe. While the government maintained its official position of neutrality, the country forged ahead in manufacturing and cultural changes: from assembly lines and faster Model Ts to women’s suffrage and prohibition, from fair labor laws to ragtime bands and silent films.

Rose was one of five children, growing up on a 10-acre farm and supported by the $1.00 a day income of their father. Life was challenging and Rose had a strict upbringing, yet her character was shaped by austerity and resilience. She cut out pictures from the Sears catalogue to make paper dolls and played dress up in her mother’s hats. She had a baby buggy that she pushed around until it broke, but with few dolls or toys, she and her siblings played outside and grew strong. Rose learned to ride a bike when her brother, William, put her on the bike at the top of a hill and she ended up in a ditch at the bottom. But, she got back on and learned to ride that bike.

Once Rose discovered reading, she enjoyed books, her favorite being “Little Women.” Like other teens her age, she fawned over movie stars like Clark Gable and Bing Crosby. She joined a sewing club and taught herself to sew. Though she didn’t really like school and would have preferred to stay at home to help her mother, Rose took the initiative to sweep floors and clean erasers for the teacher, for which she earned about $0.50 per week. Her resourcefulness launched her into the work force at a very young age.

When she was 15 years old, Rose and her sister, Mary, moved to Lansing, Michigan and found work in a restaurant. At age 19, the adventure of romance altered her life of independence. She met young Charlie Upton at a dance in the old Upton Hardware, and he impressed her with his excellent dancing skills. The two developed a loving relationship over the following year and were married on July 30, 1936 in Bannister, Michigan.

In keeping with her interest in taking on new things, Rose learned to drive at age 23, thanks to Charlie’s teaching. She kept herself constantly active, whether dancing, going to yard sales, antique shopping, making craft items, fixing old dolls, making dolls and their clothes, or tending her garden of vegetables and beautiful flowers. Naturally, Rose’s favorite flowers were roses.

Over a period of 14 years in their married life, Rose and Charlie were blessed with four children. Rose stayed at home for her family until age 40, when she went to work as a cook for Carson City Hospital. She worked there until her retirement at age 62, after 22 years of faithful service.

During times of recreation, Rose and Charlie followed the call to travel that comes with owning a Volkswagen van. They used it to camp all over the West, including the Rocky Mountains, and as far to the east as Maine. They ventured overseas for vacations in Ireland, London, and Hawaii as well as coastal trips in California and Nova Scotia. No doubt each location provided plenty of opportunity for Rose to indulge one of her passions. She loved ice cream of all flavors, especially black walnut, and insisted that ice cream was meant to be served in a cone. So, she could often be seen with two cones—one with ice cream and one empty in the other hand. To further satisfy a sweet tooth, Rose ate popcorn with chocolate candy. It was fun for her to make popcorn balls and pie crusts from scratch.

Such were the simple pleasures of Rose’s life that was marked with down-home stability along with a readiness for something new or different. To Rose, a perfect summer day included going to a yard sale and perhaps coming away with a real find.

Rose M. Upton, of Clinton County, died Monday, May 10, 2010 at the age of 93. Surviving are three daughters, Alice Faye Upton, Lansing, MI, Lana (Gail) Kaltz, Crestview, FL, Lee Upton (Eric Ziolkowski), Easton, PA, and daughter in law, Doris Upton, Arab, AL. Also surviving, are nine grandchildren, Carla (Kelly) Carter, Carson City, MI; Alesia (Brian) Betz, Dewitt, MI; Erik C. Upton, Arab, AL; Jody (David) Hollingsworth, Packwood, IA; Joseph F. Upton, Arab, AL; Jason Upton (Judy O’Dell) Guntersville, AL; Cameron (Angela) Kaltz, Crestview, FL; Theodora Ziolkowski and Cecilia Ziolkowski, Easton PA, also thirteen great grandchildren. Her husband Charles Upton preceded her in death, May 17, 1991. Also preceding her in death was her son, Joseph Upton, sister, Mary Beard, brothers, Fergus and William Thompson and two grandsons, Darrell and David Upton.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 14, 2010, at St. Gerard Catholic Church, the church of her membership, with the Rev. Fr. John Klein presiding. Burial to follow at Sowle Cemetery. The family will receive friends 3-6 p.m. Thursday at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 11112 W. Ionia St., Fowler. There will also be a one hour visitation at the church prior to the service. Contributions may be made in Rose’s memory to the American Cancer Society or Hospice House of Mid-Michigan (Sparrow Foundation).