Rose M. Ausman died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007 at the Nampa Care Center at the age of 91. Vigil services will be Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1515 8th St. S., Nampa. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. also at St. Paul's. A luncheon will be served following the Mass. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Rosedale Cemetery in Payette. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel. Rose was born March 8, 1916 in Kempsey, Australia, the daughter of Arthur and Clara (Larkin) Johnston. Rose received her high school diploma in Australia. She went on to college and completed nursing school becoming a registered nurse. As a RN during World War II, Rose met and took care of a wounded corporal named Paul Kidder Ausman. After nursing him back to health, Rose and Paul fell in love and were married Nov. 20, 1943 in Waterloo, Sidney, Australia. They never had children. In 1944, Rose moved to the United States and settled in Payette, Idaho. Paul came shortly after. Rose worked as a waitress in restaurants in Payette. She also aided Paul on some of his trips to Council, Idaho because he was employed with the U.S. Forest Service. Residing in Payette, Paul's sister had a son, Loren Paul Grout. Rose took to him with a twinkle in her eye, and had a helping, gentle hand in raising him. On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1950, Rose had her documents signed to become a citizen of the United States. However, she never lost her Australian accent! In the late '50's, Paul and Rose moved to Idaho City. In Idaho City, they had an awesome well trained dog named "Pusher". Loren's children Linda, Gay, Lora, Loren Paul Jr., and Lonny enjoyed feeding the pig that Paul and Rose raised for the greased pig contest for the Annual Gold Rush Days in Idaho City. The Grout children also loved spending the summer months in Idaho City with their Great Aunt Rose. During the winter months in the '60's and 70's, Paul and Rose stayed in Arizona. They moved to Caldwell in 1978. Paul Kidder Ausman died Feb. 7, 1981. In Aug. 1992, Rose won swimming medals during the Senior Olympics. Her story and picture appeared in the local newspaper. In 1997, she moved to Nampa, Idaho. Rose had a love for pinochle and traveling, such as the trip she took a few years ago with her oldest sister Cecilia to watch the Rose Bowl Parade! Last summer Rose and her friend took turns driving to the Oregon Coast. Everyone also enjoyed her company at the 50th Wedding Anniversary party for her nephew and niece, Loren and Jackie Grout last October. She'll always be dearly missed especially at Christmas and Easter. Rose is survived by her sister, Cecilia Happ (95 years old) of Australia; her nephew Loren P. Grout Sr. and his wife Jackie, and their children, Linda (Leon) Hall, Gay (Bryan) Winkler, Lora Grout, Loren Jr., and Sgt. 1st Class Lonny (Laura) Grout. She is also survived by numerous great, great and great, great, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul, brother James, and her parents Arthur and Clara Johnston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society, 2676 Vista Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705; or the American Diabetes Assn Idaho Affiliate, 223 N. 6th Street, Boise, Idaho 83702. Gay Winkler would like to personally thank Jonilyn and Cindy, and also the CNA's of Accent Hospice care and the staff at Nampa Care Center for the wonderful care given to her Great Aunt Rose.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 8/31/2007.