Dad's Funeral

The photos in this video are from Dad's funeral, the graveside service and the luncheon afterward. All the pictures were taken by our dear friend, Sara Boulter. The audio was taken from an interview I had with Dad in November of 2010, just a few days after the doctors told us he only had weeks left. He was feeling very tired and weak and it was hard for him to speak which is why his voice is so soft. The music is a song called, "When I Die" that I wrote and recorded several years ago. It is one of the songs I sang at his funeral service.

The funeral was beautiful and such a tribute to an incredible husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, friend and soldier. I am so proud to be his daughter and a member of this amazing Rose family. When I receive a copy of the audio from the service I will post copies of the wonderful talks and tributes that were given.

I miss my sweet daddy every single day. But I do know that he is watching over us as a guardian angel and making preparations to be with us again one day. Thank you all for your messages, phone calls, emails, flowers, acts of service and kindness.

Earl "G" Rose II 1948-2011

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your words of comfort, strength and sympathy. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and service we have been receiving. We can feel the prayers you are offering on our behalf.

Earl "G" Rose II returned to our Heavenly Father September 5, 2011. He was in the embrace of his family at the time of his passing.

Earl was born in Wichita, Kansas on June 3, 1948, the son of Earl "G" and Nadine Cotter Rose. He was the eldest of their 11 children.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1966. He served in the Vietnam War as a Marine Security Guard in the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam. He was transferred to the Embassy in Manila, Philippines. In Manila he met Jesusa Maniquis Ramos. They were married November 23, 1969.

Earl brought his bride home to the United States where they were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised seven children together in Tooele.

He was devoted to Family, God and Country.

He is survived by his wife Jesusa; children April (Rhett Collins), Earl III (Tifiny), Karen (Paul McKinney), Robert (Elizabeth), Michael (Amy), Diana (Conway West) and Paul (Samantha); 33 grandchildren; and siblings Warren (Gina), Joy (Kim Lawrence), Tim (LaWaine), Pete (Bona), Ruth (Peter Swade), Belva (Dennis Coleman), Dena (Kevin Cline), Jay (Vivian) and Bryan. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Cris.

A viewing will be held Thursday, September 8, from 6-8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway (10600 South), with funeral services on Friday, 11 am at the LDS chapel next to the Jordan River Temple (10200 South 1300 West), viewing one hour prior to services at the church. Interment: Veteran's Memorial Cemetery at Camp Williams.

Well done thou good and faithful servant

Earl "G" Rose II
June 3, 1948- Sept. 5, 2011

At 1:04 PM, our dear father, husband, brother and friend took his last breath.
He was surrounded by his children, his siblings, his grandchildren, friends and his sweet bride Jesusa.
We are making the plans for his memorial service and will post them to this site.
We are so grateful to all of you for your compassionate words.

We love you dad. It felt like heaven being together with you. We know that now the Spirit world is in celebration.

May God be with us all until we meet again.
Posted by Robert

In This Very Room

Mom came and woke me up at 4:30 this morning. She was concerned about Dad. His breathing has been very labored and his oxygen saturations are low. She said she might be crying wolf, but she wanted me to call all my brothers and sisters.

Everyone came today. Robert, Earl and Aunt Dena drove up from St. George and everyone else has been here since 5:00 this morning. Uncle Tim came with his family, and also Aunt Belva, Uncle Pete, Kuya Danny and Ate Letty. We were all here and we were all surrounding Dad all day.

We watched old family videos for about 12 hours straight and have been laughing and crying a lot.

Dad was able to focus on us for a few seconds at a time but other than that has been resting. As of right now, he is sleeping soundly. His oxygen levels are still low but his breathing seems to have improved a bit and Mom and Aunt Dena are staying by his bedside to keep an eye on him.

It has been a very long and emotional day but it has been so great to have everyone together. There is a lot of love in this little room.

"In this very room, there's quite enough love for all of us; and in this very room, there's quite enough joy for all of us; and there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom. For Jesus, Lord Jesus is in this very room."

Together Forever

I've been watching a lot of old home movies. I've been spending the last couple of days converting the VHS tapes to DVD. This morning I came across footage I had never seen before. It was December 9, 1990. We were all at the airport early in the morning wearing heavy coats and solemn expressions. Dad was getting ready to deploy to Saudi Arabia for six months.

It was a somber occassion. We walked with Dad through the airport; April with her arm around Dad and I had my arm around Mom. We sat in the terminal together not saying much but just together. Then it came time for Dad to board the plane. He hugged my grandma whose husband had passed away earlier that year, then little Paul, who was about to turn eight, stood on a chair to give him a big bear hug. Next he lifted me to give me a hug and kiss. He embraced each of his children in turn, giving us kisses, offering last minute words of counsel and farewell and very occassionaly wiping a loose tear that would escape despite his best efforts to stay strong. Then it was Mom's turn. They embraced for several long minutes, kissing and hugging and not wanting to part. All of us children (except Earl who was on his mission) were there watching and not saying a word as Mom and Dad prolonged the departure as long as possible.

And then he got on the plane and we all watched out the window silently as the plane took off.

As I watched this video with tears streaming down my face, I couldn't help but see the correlation between then and now. We all unwillingly prepare to say farewell, giving him as many embraces and kisses as we can, telling him how much he is loved, all the while prolonging that moment of departure as aggressively as possible.

I think about how hard it was for us to say goodbye for those long months he spent overseas. Dad missed Christmas and Paul's baptism, a few birthdays and taking Earl to the airport bound for Guatemala.

I was only a young girl but I can remember when Dad came home. I can still remember all the yellow ribbons and American flags that Mom hung in the yard. I can remember the Christmas tree decorated in red, white and blue and how we celebrated Christmas in July that year.

I'm sure there's a video I've yet to find of us greeting Dad at the airport when he returned. I can imagine the jubilation and celebrating that would be heard as he walked out of the gate to the screams of delight of his family. I'm certain we would see many tears of joy and endless hugs and kisses, and hear lots of laughter and story telling. The joy of his return far outweighing the ache of his departure.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not ready to say goodbye to my daddy. I do not want to have to give him that final embrace and I will gladly put it off for as long as possible, BUT I do know that there will come a day--it might feel like eternities until then as his misses Christmases and birthdays--but the day will come when we will be reunited. When the joyous celebration of our reunion will far outweigh the heartache and pain of his departure.

I belong to an eternal family. Tied together forever by the sealing power of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. It is thanks to Him that we are given the gift of Eternal Life. It is by coming to know and have faith in Him that we can receive confirmation for ourselves that this is possible. I have received that confirmation and I know it to be true. And I know my Dad knows it. Families are forever and we will be together again.

By the way, after sleeping for about two days straight, he woke up this morning and told me he loved me. He lifted his arm to give me a hug and was strong enough to keep me pinned to his chest when I tried to pull away :) I asked him how he is doing and he whispered, "I'm not complaining." He is not yet ready to say goodbye either.

And Men Are, That They Might Have Joy

It's so nice having Earl here. His family just moved to St. George but he still works in SLC so he stays here from Monday through Thursday. He has been taking Dad for walks every evening as the sun goes down. Dad is able to get fresh air, enjoy the beautiful sunsets, the gorgeous Utah mountains and the South Jordan Temple that is lit up at night. And we enjoy walking and talking together as a family.Mom's sweet friends Teena and Emma brought her some Filipino food for lunch the other day. The lunch menu included squid, fish heads, salmon and some other things that Mom really enjoyed (I'll have to take her word for it.) Salamat ladies!

Thanks to modern technology I have been able to connect with my family in Hawaii over the internet. Marley had her first hula performance and gave her first talk in primary and Cohen is now talking in sentences and jumping into the pool backwards. I am eternally grateful to my sister-in-law Alisha who flew to Hawaii to care for my children. I just know great blessings must be in store for her for her selfless service.

Dad's sweet nurses Mary Kay and Amy from the Huntsman Cancer Institute came to visit Dad yesterday. He stayed awake all day because he knew they were coming and didn't want to be asleep during their visit. He is no longer their patient yet they care about him so much they still want to check on him and tell him that they love him. We are so appreciative of such wonderful and compassionate people!

Dad is still resting most of the time. When he's awake I always ask him if he is happy. His answer is, "you bet!" He is happy. And so are we.

And after all, that's what really matters, right?

2 Ne 2:25 - "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

Love You Forever

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Dad has been resting a lot. He sleeps most of the time. Sometimes he tricks us when we think he is asleep and we're talking about him and he pipes in to correct something we've said. But most of the time, he is sleeping.

Yesterday morning Dad wanted to get up. Mom helped him sit on the edge of his bed; since he doesn't have much energy anymore she had to hold him up.

She reminded Dad of a story she read on Christmas day about fifteen years ago called Love You Forever. As she rocked Dad back and forth while she held him, she said, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, [forever and ever] my [sweetheart] you'll be."

I think each one of us children have had that heartwrenching moment where we realize that our big, strong dad who once picked us up and carried us with ease is now weak and fragile. Mike never thought he would cradle him in his arms and lift him like a child, April never imagined spoon feeding him ice cream, and I never realized a day would come where I'd have to say, "where do you think you're going?" because he is too weak to get out of bed.

But I know we're all happy to be able to serve him and help him in any way we can. Because it's our turn.

Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...

But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.

Sleep

Dad is at Alta View hospital getting platelets. Last week when they weighed him he was 183 lbs. Today he was down to 172. He was sleeping peacefully when we went to visit him and he only woke briefly enough to say, "hi baby" when I was talking to him.

When Mike went to visit him a couple hours ago, he said that Mom and Dad were both asleep in Dad's hospital bed. They are the sweetest, most adorable couple. It's so endearing to see how much they love each other.

The good thing about them going to the hospital is that Mom actually gets some sleep. At home she happily empties his catheter, changes his linens, dispenses his medications which are many, and feeds him, gets him dressed, etc. She rests from time to time during the night but she never really sleeps. So I'm hoping that tonight she will sleep.

And I'm hoping that Dad will get enough sleep that he will feel recharged and be ready to come home tomorrow with some fresh new jokes and some strong hugs and that those sparkling blue eyes that I wish I had inherited will be wide open.

Awake and Amazing

Dad has been sleeping a lot lately. But when he is awake he is either making us laugh with his witty one-liners, getting to know his new little dog, enjoying hugs and kisses from his kids and grandkids or even watching some TV.

Earlier this week, Dad woke up wanting to get out of bed. When I saw him trying to get up I asked where he was going. "To go downstairs and watch the news," he answered. I explained to him that he wasn't strong enough to walk and I didn't want to risk him falling. It breaks my heart to have to tell him he can't do something.

At this point, I am certain that if my dad really wants to do something, like walk, he will be able to do it. He has shown such determination and drive that I know I'll always think of him whenever I have to find courage or strength from within myself.

I hope his fight has encouraged you in the same way. Whether you're struggling to do one more rep in your workout and can't seem to find the strength, or whether you feel like hope is lost and you don't think you can go on; I hope you'll think of my dad's example and find that somehow you CAN.

Here he is sitting up on his bed. He doesn't have much physical strength to be able to do this, but with his mental strength and determination, he somehow finds the way. The man is amazing! And such an inspiration.

Over the Weekend

Friday night after everyone had gone to bed, Dad and I were still awake. I was able to get some precious one-on-one time with him.

I asked if he were strong enough to give me a hug and he said, "I always have enough strength for that!"

After a great big bear hug he said, "thanks for loving me so much." I told him it was pretty darn easy.

Since we didn't get a chance to have family prayers before everyone went to bed I asked Dad if he'd like to say them with me. He said he would and then asked me to please forgive him for not kneeling.

Robert arrived on Saturday afternoon and we were all so happy to see him. Especially Dad. After a long embrace Bob thanked Dad for holding on for him. Dad responded, "You are definitely worth sticking around for!"

Before Earl left for St. George he was able to take Dad for a ride in his Corvette. It was a struggle getting Dad into the car but after a long ride he returned to tell us it was well worth it!

On Saturday night Rhett and the boys came home with a new dog. Dad had been expressing a desire for a lap dog and he was happy to meet Shadow, the little Border Terrier, last night.

Dad has been very tired all day today. We've been trying to talk to him tonight but he is having a hard time responding to us right now. Mom is cuddled up next to him in his hospital bed and as always he is surrounded by people who love him.

I can only hope that one day when it's time for me to look back on my life, I will be surrounded by a family who loves and adores me. That my children will be there holding my hands and rubbing my feet. That the friends I've made along the way will check in to say hello and ask what they can do to help. And that when I tell tell them all thanks for loving me so much they will smile and say, "it's pretty darn easy."

Miraculous

I can't thank you enough for your prayers. Your faith is working miracle after miracle.

Robert is on his way home.

Earl's father-in-law is sitting up on his bed today and talking to to his family.

And my daddy is home!

These are truly miracles that can only have been brought about by the faith and prayers being sent heavenward. We have a loving father in heaven who is mindful of us and hears our prayers. We are so grateful to each of you and especially to Him.

More Prayers Please!

We've been at Alta View hospital all day. Dad's transfusion hasn't started yet. The nurse said hopefully within the next hour. At least he isn't bleeding.

When he hadn't had a bowel movement in a month, I asked you to pray for poop. Those prayers were heard and answered!! Again and again! (And again just a few minutes ago!) So your prayers are working and we're so appreciative. So knowing that your faith helps produce answers, I have a few more requests please:

1. Robert is stuck in Iowa waiting on his license to practice medicine in Utah. Please pray that he will get that license right away so he can come home.

2. Earl's father-in-law had a heart attack and Earl had to do CPR to revive him which he did but he is now in intensive care. Please pray for him and his family.

3. Finally, Dad has been so tired today. I'm hopeful that the the transfusion will help give him some energy and help him feel better. But please pray with me that he will feel better and be able to come back home tomorrow.

Of course everyone in our family could use prayers as well but please try to remember these few things tonight. Thank you so much for your faith and prayers on our behalf.

Proven Warrior

Back in February of last year, we were told that Dad had a zero percent chance of surviving a spleenectomy. In November his cancer relapsed and he was given weeks to live. In March his chemo failed and we were told he had 3-4 weeks. A month ago the hospice doctor said that if Dad was alive in a month he would come over and shake his hand. Last Saturday we were told that he had anywhere from just a few hours to a day.

Despite what we have been told, Dad has miraculously managed to defy science by fighting and surviving.

Today Dad's sweet nurse pulled us aside to warn us that based on her experience and what she can observe, she doesn't think he has much longer. She doesn't want us to lose hope and she's not trying to "play God" by giving us a specific time, but she just wanted to make sure we weren't caught off guard if something should happen.

Well, I don't want to sound naively optimistic, but we have heard it before. It doesn't make it any easier, but we still have hope that somehow we can receive yet another miracle.

April asked Dad tonight if he wanted to keep fighting. He hasn't been able to say much today and he's been very tired but he responded to this question with an emphatic "YES!"

We know you'll keep fighting Dad. And we know that you can. After everything we've experienced over the last year and a half; and after all the courage, love, determination and fight you've demonstrated, you've proven yourself to be a true warrior.

A Good Day

Mom broke open a fortune cookie the other day. Her fortune read: When you have hope, you have everything

Today has been a great day. Dad woke up around 8:30 this morning in a wonderful mood. He said he felt like he had energy and he was enthusiastic and happy. Mom was telling him about some projects she wanted to do in the yard. She mentioned that maybe Earl could help her. Dad said, "I can help you." Mom smiled and said, "OK"; and then he followed it up with, "I'll be face down in the mud, but I can help you!"

After saying good morning to me, he asked what was on my agenda for the day. When I told him my only plans were to hang out with him he was so happy.

After a while he said he missed Karen. I called her and she was here in less than ten minutes. He was so happy to see her too.

Dad had all three of his daughters and his lovely wife all to himself for a little while this morning and he was loving it.

He was awake ALL DAY TODAY! He ate an entire strawberry shake, he had some pizza, fruit, and lots of Pepsi (of course). His sweet nurse Lisa came today and was very happy with how he is doing. She asked him about his pain on a rating of mild, moderate or severe and he said it was mild! Amazing!

When the boys got home from school they were happy to see Grandpa awake and offering hugs.

Mike and Paul came over after work. Dad was still awake! He listened as we talked about "things, life and whatnot" and chimed in from time to time.

As the sun was setting he swung his legs over the side of his bed and aimed to get up. We asked where he was going and he said, "to see the sunset!" So Mike helped him into his wheelchair and we went for a walk around the neighborhood. When we got back, Mike cradled Dad in his arms and put him back in his bed.

Earl arrived from St. George about an hour ago and Dad was STILL awake! He was so happy to see his namesake and stayed awake as we sat around his bed sharing stories.

Today was a good day. I understand that we will still have bad days but I love good days like this. It's the moments we share in days like today that we will treasure forever. And it's these moments that fill me with hope.

"Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

Dad slept all day today. All day. He woke up momentarily for some medications and a few bites of food and he briefly opened one eye to look at me this afternoon but other than that, he slept and slept.

We talk to him while he's sleeping. We lay next to him, we give him hugs and kisses. Mom is always there by his side watching over him, making sure his oxygen is in correctly or wiping sweat off his brow.

But about an hour ago he woke up. It's these tender moments with him that we love so much. He jokes, he smiles, he laughs. He holds our hands, kisses and cuddles. It's moments like these that we will wait for all day.

Tonight his sweet Hailey (their first grandchild) was here by his side. He snuggled with her, kissed her and even tried to run his fingers through her hair. His fingers got stuck and we all laughed. So he offered to let Hailey run her fingers through his. Which she did. And we all laughed again.

We read scriptures together and then when it was time for family prayer we asked Dad who he would like to say it and he said he would.

Mom, Hailey, April and I were able to partake in the sweet spirit that was here as Dad said a humble prayer to our Heavenly Father tonight. Asking special blessings to be with those who are sick and those who need His comfort and offering sincere gratitude for the opportunity we have to be together with our family and those we love.

1 Nephi 1:20 - But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith...

Angels Among Us

We have been blessed with so many angels who have reached out to us. Some of you have been behind the scenes quietly serving our family, others have been here at Dad's side offering help and love. You have sent messages, called and visited. You may be far away offering prayers to heaven on our behalf. You may be near by holding our hands and generous with your love and service. Countless doctors, nurses, caregivers, ward members, family members, old friends, new friends and strangers. We want you to know how grateful we are to each and every one of you. But to each of you we offer our sincere gratitude, appreciation and love. You have been our angels.


(Click play to hear the song as you watch the slideshow)

***Please note that it would be impossible to include pictures of everyone. There have been numerous angels who are not pictured in the slideshow above. I hope each of you know who you are and know how loved and appreciated you are***

God May Not Always Come When You Call...

But He will ALWAYS be on time.


I went to the hospital with Mom and Dad yesterday. Dad's platelets were low. Low is 115. Dad's were at 14. I witnessed what this looks like first hand.

He was admitted to his room around noon. By 2:00, his nose was bleeding; by 6:00, his shirt and sheets were covered in blood. The nurse started his transfusion at 9:00 PM.

Around 10:30, his nose was bleeding, his mouth was full of blood, the blood had dripped down and pooled in his neck and all over his sheets and I tried to clean him up. I used paper towel after paper towel but finally called the nurse for some help.

The nurse, her aid, my mom and I all worked to get the blood out of Dad's mustache and beard, out of his nose and his mouth.

Shortly thereafter, Dad was in a lot of pain because he was trying to go to the bathroom. His stomach was poking out on one side and it felt hard. My heart was breaking. I asked the nurse when they would be doing his soap suds enema and she said they wanted to wait until he had his platelets.

I gave my dad a big hug and kiss and left the hospital around 11:30. I never like leaving his side, especially when he is so weak and and hurting.

At around 1:45 AM my phone started ringing, I looked to see that it was my mom and panic settled over me. BUT it was Mom calling to tell me that our prayers had been answered. She was overjoyed because he had finally pooped! (She was especially grateful that this happened at the hospital so she didn't have to be the one cleaning up! Double blessings!)

She called me again around 2:00 AM just because she was so happy. She cried and said, "we tried everything, everything they could come up with and it wasn't until we asked everyone to 'pray for poop' that it finally happened. It's such a miracle! Please thank everyone for me!"

I just got off the phone with her again. They will be leaving the hospital in about half an hour. She said Dad looks much better and feels better but that he is very tired. She said that took a lot out of him (literally!). He is pooped out! (Sorry Dad)

Thank you all again for your prayers. They were answered! This is nothing short of a miracle and we all recognize that.

Alma 33:11 - And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou has been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy.

Pray for Poop! And Other Updates.

We will be leaving in a few minutes to IMHC so Dad can have a blood transfusion. He always feels much better after those. To those of you who faithfully donate blood to your local blood banks, THANK YOU! You truly do save lives!

Yesterday Dad woke up in the late afternoon and asked for his cane. We told him it was in the garage. He said he needed it because he wanted to go for a walk. Mom said she could take him for a walk in the wheelchair and he said, "that's a start!"

So we were able to take him outside to feel a cool breeze and see the sunshine.

As of right now it has been nearly a month since he has had a bowel movement. My sweet, conservative Daddy would be quite embarrassed if he knew I was advertising this to the world, but it's the most important thing right now. They've tried everything from enemas to shots and medications and laxatives. So far nothing is working. The nurse on Saturday didn't hear any bowel sounds in his stomach and assumed his colon was shutting down. But last night the nurse said she heard very active bowel sounds in all four chambers of his stomach! So now he just needs to go! So please help us help him and PRAY FOR
POOP!

****And please don't tell him I said that. He really would be horrified. This is a man who refuses to use public restrooms and considers any words to do with bodily functions as profanity.