Rose Marie Oppenheim's Obituary
Rose Marie Oppenheim, age 98, of Grand Haven passed away Thursday November 6, 2025, at Grand Pines Assisted Living Center in Grand Haven Michigan. She was born October 16, 1927 in Detroit to Felix and Beatrice (Martz) Oppenheim. There were five children in the family and they spent most of their childhood living and attending school in Almont Michigan. When Rose was 16 her family moved to Howell Michigan and she graduated from Howell High School with the class of 1945. Rose attended college at Mercy Central School of Nursing in Detroit. She graduated with her nursing degree and worked as a registered nurse for many years.
Rose served her country in the US Army from 1951-1954 as a Registered Nurse. Upon discharge Rose worked in Howell as a nursing instructor at McPherson Community Hospital. She directed the project of setting up the first coronary care unit at the hospital before moving into office nursing where she managed a busy family practice office. Rose concluded her nursing career working as a supervisor at Ypsilanti State Hospital. She retired from the state of Michigan and spent her golden years living in Ypsilanti Michigan.
Rose was a member of the Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir. She was also a member of the American Legion, Sweet Adelines and the American Nurses Association. Rose was full of adventure and loved to travel. She was a single engine airplane pilot, a talented cook and baker and loved painting and needlework. She spent many hours volunteering at a church resale shop during her retirement. Rose loved to socialize with friends and family and many times card games were involved. She was also well known for hosting Kentucky Derby parties each spring.
Rose is survived by her nieces and nephews: Carol (Bill) Chaddock, Paul (Wanda deceased) Oppenheim, Julie (Ron) Haske, Susan (Ed deceased) Strauch, Judy (Alan) Crandall , Karen(Bob deceased) Abrams, Nancy (Skip) Bosley, Tom (Marie) Oppenheim, Tim (Lisa) Oppenheim, and Matt (Kim) Oppenheim. Aunt Rosie is remembered by many great and great great nieces and nephews. Rose was preceded in death by her parents as well as brothers: Carl (Norma), Robert (Phyllis), and Donald (Kathy) Oppenheim, sister, Ruth (Leigh) Skinner and nephews, Lee Oppenheim and David (Karen surviving) Oppenheim.
Family meant the world to Rose and she loved to shower attention upon her nieces and nephews. They will remember Aunt Rosie with love and fondness.
A celebration of life and mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Imlay City Michigan on May 30, 2026 with burial in Mt Calvary Cemetery.(Service times will be announced later in the spring).
Memorial contributions in memory of Rose may be given to Harbor Hospice Foundation
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
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