Rose passed away suddenly after a brief illness November 4, 2024, at the age of 67 years at the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre. Rose was born in Calgary, Alberta at the Grace Hospital on March 25, 1957. Shortly after she was adopted by Sibert and Elizabeth Suntjens and raised on the family farm northeast of Hanna, Alberta along with four brothers John, Richard, George, Walter and another adopted sister Arlene. Rose attended school in Spondin, Coronation and Youngstown. Rose loved to swim and was quite an avid swimmer, she also loved to ride horses and play with her cousins.
Rose married Allan Dahl who operated a plumbing business in Hanna and later on in Claresholm, they had a son David born May 2, 1978. The marriage failed and on February 27, 1999, Rose married Douglas Ebel and have been together for over 25 years together, although the last six years have physically been apart as Rose was confined to a wheelchair. Rose lived in the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre. Even though they were separated by an hour’s drive, Doug would travel from Hanna to Drumheller every Wednesday and Sunday; brunch at Yavis restaurant, shopping at Wal-Mart, hourly car rides around Drumheller, ferry rides, all she so enjoyed and looked forward to. Rose loved family gatherings at Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. She so loved to hold the new babies and watch all the young nieces and nephews.
Rose had her challenges but was accepted for who she was and how she was in life. She considered the Continuing Care Centre her home and when tired she would say, “take me home”.
Rose was predeceased by her first husband Allan, her sister Lucielle, father Sibert, mother Elizabeth, and sister-in-law Beverly.
Rose is survived by her son David, granddaughter Jena, husband Douglas, sister Arlene (Bill) Thuroo, brothers, Walter (Adeline), George (Mary Jane), Rick (Edith), John (Susan) and many nieces, nephews and their families.
A Funeral Mass will be held November 16, 2024, at 1:30 P.M. at St. George’s Roman Catholic Church (Hanna, Alberta) with the interment to follow in the Hanna Cemetery.
If friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation (Drumheller Continuing Care) or the charity of one’s choice in memory of Rose Marie.
Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Homes are in care of the arrangements.
