Obituary for Rosa Flanigin

Rosa Lee Flanigin

(May 4, 1929 – January 13, 2017)

Rosa Lee Flanigin, age 87, long-time resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, January 13, 2017 in Ponca City.

A requiem mass will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Grace Episcopal Church in Ponca City with Reverend Dr. Dee Wellington Bright, Sr. officiating. Following the ceremony, she will be laid to rest in the columbarium at Grace Episcopal Church.

Rosa Lee was born on May 4, 1929 to Le Roy M. Grueser and Bessie Jackson Grueser in Oklahoma City. She was raised in Oklahoma City, graduating from Capitol Hill High School. After high school, Rosa Lee attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Continuing her studies, Rosa Lee later finished her graduate degree in Social Work. In 1956, Samuel Robert Flanigin became her husband at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Rosa Lee and Samuel moved their family to Ponca City in the summer of 1969. She went to work for Edwin Fair until she semi-retired in the mid 1980’s. Following her time at Edwin Fair Rosa Lee continued her service to others doing mental health assessment for various home health companies. Playing piano, sewing, and yard work were some of the things she enjoyed, but nothing more than spoiling her family, especially her grandchildren, when they would visit. Because so many of her grandchildren lived some distance away, she would celebrate numerous holidays with them in a single day, including getting dressed up and trick or treating the bewildered neighborhood. Having fun and getting people to smile gave her many great delights in life.

Survivors include her beloved husband Samuel of Ponca City, sons: Dan Flanigin of Ponca City, Don Flanigin and wife Robyn of Miami, FL, daughters: Linda Hemken and husband Dan of Pensacola, FL, Roberta Leckie and husband Clyde of Sparks, NV, brother Roy Grueser and wife Charlotte of Midwest City, OK, sister Becky Gardella of Portland OR, grandchildren: Diana Johnson and husband James, Daniel Hemken and wife Debra, Deborah McLaughlin and husband Dave, David Hemken and wife Angi Vecchioni-Hemken, Sharon Flessas and husband Constantine, Samuel Hemken, Justin Flanigin, Brandon Flanigin and wife Kimberly, Jenna Flanigin,, Renee Leckie and Danielle Leckie, great grandchildren: Connor Flanigin, Brenden Johnson, Shane Johnson, Nora McLaughlin, Levi McLaughlin, Molly McLaughlin, Penelope Flessas and Timothy Flessas.

Rosa Lee was preceded in death by her parents and sisters: Jackie Grueser, Goldie Marie Degenais, Bettie Olson, and Ruby Riemenschneider.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 109 N. 13th, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home