Jenkins Gross Burch, Rose Marie

Rose Marie Jenkins Gross Burch

March 9, 1959 - Dec. 23, 2007

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Rose Marie Jenkins Gross Burch, 48, of Lafayette, died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in her home from cancer.

Born in Clinton Ind., on March 9, 1959, she was raised in Cayuga and graduated from North Vermilion High School in 1977. She moved to Lafayette in 1983 and graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science degree specializing in financial counseling and planning in 1992.

She had a direct sales home business for 30 years and also worked with the development/ fundraising for many different not-for-profit agencies including Family Services, a United Way agency, Lafayette Urban Ministries and March of Dimes. She most recently was the regional services director in the partnership of the Indiana Arts Association and Tippecanoe Arts Federation.

Mrs. Burch was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church and the Association Women Business Owners. She enjoyed crafts, quilting, gardening and remodeling homes. She moved to Lafayette after having her daughter. While raising her daughter on her own, Rose graduated from Purdue. After moving into their own home, she met husband Lester, online, in 1997, who turned out to have lived about 10 blocks away the entire time. She was also an amazing wife, loving mother, lifelong crafter, an avid quilter, esteemed gardener and loved to remodel homes. Rose had two careers most of her working life. She loved direct sales.

She has touched many lives with her own. She will be missed by all who knew her. Surviving are her husband, Lester Burch; a daughter, Sarah Reneé Gross of Phoenix Ariz.; her parents, John and Doris Elliott Jenkins of Cayuga; and a sister, Iris Cutshall (husband: Vern) of Orlando, Fla.; a nephew, Samuel Cutshall of Orlando, Fla.; and two grandchildren.

There will be two memorial services available. Friends may call at Hippensteel Funeral Home on 18th and Salem streets in Lafayette, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, for visitation at 3 p.m. EST and memorial service at 4 p.m. or Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at the Cayuga (Ind.) Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. EST. The Rev. Ann Williams will officiate both services. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the following causes which were important to Rose: Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM), 525N 4th St., Lafayette, IN 47901, Forest Glen Forest Preserve/VCCD Foundation, 2031 E 900 North, Westfield, IL 61883. Share memories and condolences online at Hippensteelfuneralhome.com.