Rosie Lanham

Rosie Lanham always made time for family and friends. Her personality was one of a kind. Rosie knew how to make everyone feel special.

Although the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression in 1931, it was also a year of extraordinary events. In March, the Star Spangled Banner was adopted as our national anthem. Two months later, New York's 102-story Empire State Building, billed as the tallest in the world, was dedicated and open to the public. In Hartford City, Indiana, Paul W. and Dorothy (Hoshour) McKee were also celebrating something extraordinary: the birth of their youngest daughter, Rosemary, on September 12, 1931.

Along with her older sister, Marilyn, Rosie grew up in the small town of Hartford City, where her father was one of the founders of The Overhead Door Company, and was President until retiring in the mid-1960s. When Rosie was eight, her parents bought a cottage on Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana. Her fondest childhood memories were of their time together at the lake.

A very active young girl, Rosie loved movies. Nearly every weekend, she, her father and sister would attend matinees, where her father would invariably fall asleep, and the girls would see the main attractions twice. Rosie attended Hartford City High School. She was involved in various school activities, including playing flute in her high school band. She was always outgoing, and developed many friendships that lasted throughout her life.

After graduating from high school in the summer of 1949, Rosie proved herself a modest hero as she pulled a drowning skier from Lake Wawasee. The panicked man struggled with Rosie, pulling her under several times. Eventually, both were pulled to safety. For her bravery, she was awarded the Carnegie Medal. After this eventful summer, Rosie went on to attend Indiana University, earning a degree in Home Economics and graduating in 1953. In addition to her studies, Rosie was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, where as an undergraduate, she was awarded the Attitude Key, evidence of her positive outlook and gracious spirit.

In 1951, she met Charlie, the love of her life. They were social chairs of their respective sorority and fraternity. This led to their meeting at IU's very first Little 500. The couple soon began dating and was happily married on November 21, 1953, at Grace Methodist Church in Rosie's hometown of Harford City. Shortly after graduation, Charlie, a lieutenant in the United States Air Force, was shipped overseas, where he and Rosie were stationed near London, England for two years. It was there that the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, son Kyle, in 1956. After his discharge, they returned to Hartford City, where their family grew to four with the birth of their daughter, Lisa, in 1959. A year later, the family moved to Indianapolis, settling in a home Charlie found in Arrowhead Estates, a location she initially feared was in the "middle of nowhere." It was there that they met many of their lifelong friends.

Rosie taught her children the value of service, and led by example as an active volunteer in several civic organizations. In 1963, she became a member of the Children's Bureau Auxiliary and was a loyal volunteer for many years, serving as president in 1971. Rosie was awarded the John Mallon Award in 1985, the highest honor given to a volunteer of the Children's Bureau. She was a member of Tri Kappa, the Propylaeum, Epworth United Methodist Church and Butler University's Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority House Board for over ten years. When her children were younger, Rosie was an active volunteer with their various activities. Nothing in Rosie's life was more important than her family. She and her sister, Marilyn, referred to each other only as "Sis" or "Sister," and their relationship was remarkable. Nothing gave her more joy than her grandchildren: Henry, Emma Rose, Zachary and Kathryn. Each holiday was Rosie's favorite, and no one could decorate a house with more flair than she. It was amazing how she could transform a room by "throwing around some greens." Smiling played a big part of Rosie's life. Her quick wit gave her the remarkable ability to coax a smile from anyone. To the end, she had all the healthcare providers grinning.

Rosie loved spending a month each year in Islamorada, Florida, but to her, no place was as special as Lake Wawasee. Having "tea" at sunset with the Kiley and Hurst families was always the perfect ending to a perfect summer day. Rosie read quite widely. Lisa considers her mom "a serious student of popular culture." Not one to flaunt her Home Economics degree, Rosie preferred simple fare: popcorn and cheeseburgers on the grill were her favorites. "Five cup/four bean" salads were staples in the Lanham house.

Rosie had a ­­wonderful heart. She would do anything for her family and friends. Family was her life's work; her children were her greatest gifts. Rosie had the rare gift of always knowing exactly what to say. All who knew Rosie will treasure her memory.

Rosemary McKee Lanham, 73, Indianapolis, Indiana, died on Friday, June 17, 2005. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Charles E. Lanham; children, Kyle E. (Sally E.) and Lisa M. Lanham (Michael W. Halstead); grandchildren, Henry and Emma Rose Lanham; Zachary and Kathryn Halstead; nieces and nephews, Clifford and Paul Schacht (Cheryl), Saralee Dugdale (Jeff); great niece and nephews, Jessica, Paul and Gregory Dugdale. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn McKee Tindall.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Rosie's life on Sunday, June 19, from 1-5 p.m. at the Leppert Life Story Funeral Home, Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 20, in the sanctuary at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street, Indpls., IN. You are invited to visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a personal memory, or make a memorial contribution to the Children's Bureau Auxiliary.