Rose Ann Eberly

Rose Ann Eberly, 69, passed away peacefully at home on December 10, 2011. She fought a long, hard battle with her strong will and courage carrying her through until the end. She was born September 22, 1942 in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Samuel W. Arthur and Nellie K. Rupp. She had two brothers, Samuel L. Arthur and Jerry W. Arthur. They all preceded her in death. Rose Ann attended Williams Grade School, a one room schoolhouse in Watson, KS, and was the only one in her graduating class. She graduated Berryton Rural High School in Berryton, KS in 1960. In 1961, she attended Topeka Technical College. She proudly achieved her Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Information System with Cum Laude honors at Washburn University in Topeka, KS in 1998. Rose Ann grew up on the family farm in Tecumseh, KS which taught her the value of hard work. Her first job away from home was as a carhop at Delta Drive-In from 1959-1960. She was employed at Hallmark Cards from 1961-1963 and worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone from 1963-1966. In 1966, she went to work for Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway until she retired in 2004. While working at AT &SF Railway she met a rowdy young man named Kenneth J. Eberly and wasn?t sure that she liked him very much, but soon love blossomed. They were married on March 8, 1969 and remained together until his death in September 2005. They had one daughter, LeaAnn K. Eberly, born in 1970. She survives along with her husband Stan Booker and his children Raymond and Stephanie, several nieces and nephews and her loyal dog Sweetie who never left her side. Rose Ann was a longtime member of Order of Eastern Star, Helena Chapter #210, Women of the Moose #1091, Phi Theta Kappa, Washburn University Alumni Association, and has served as Assistant Secretary Treasurer for the Santa Fe Retired Employees Club since 2005, for several years she was a contributor to the Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy. She also began serving as a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital in 2010. After retirement, Rose Ann remained very active. She worked for Vivian Kane at Capitol City Real Estate from 2004 until spring 2011. She was kept very busy and her most enjoyable duty was staging homes for sale. She took great pride in her decorating skills. She and Vivian became dear friends and she considered her co-workers as an extended family. In February 2005, her husband Ken and a partner purchased the Bavarian Inn and shorty after Ken?s passing she became the sole owner operator until November 2007. Rose Ann loved to travel and despite her health issues she toured six countries in the last three years of her life as well as many visits to her daughter and family in Colorado. She was a vibrant and classy lady and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. Rose Ann will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Midland Hospice Care or Helping Hands Humane Society and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603