Vigen Memorial Home obituary – Rosemarie P. Gruver Morningstar, 88, formerly of Keokuk

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MORNINGSTAR

Rosemarie P. Gruver Morningstar, 88, of W. Hartford, CT, formerly of Keokuk, passed away January 7, 2018.

Rosemarie was born in Akron, Ohio, the youngest child and only daughter of Gerald A and Anna M McInerney Gruver on March 18, 1929.

In her younger days, she was very athletic and competitive, playing softball and basketball. She loved to dance and won many dance competitions. She had a beautiful singing voice which many of her children and grandchildren inherited.

She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football and UConn Women’s basketball fan. She loved all kinds of music, musicals, crossword puzzles, was a prolific reader, and collected clowns, but at the top of her list were her children and grandchildren. She was the biggest supporter and cheerleader any of them could ever have. She was always there to celebrate the victories and to commiserate with the defeats.

Two of the highlights of her life were spending time in Hawaii with Michelle, and her trip to Ireland, which was the dream vacation she had always wanted. Everywhere she went, people loved her.

On April 21, 1951, she was joined in marriage to William A. Morningstar. They later divorced.

She was a registered nurse, and after her divorce worked at Ft Madison Community Hospital, The Convalescent Center, and Montebello nursing homes. She was proud of the fact that she helped in the delivery of three of her great-children while working at Ft. Madison Community Hospital.

After her retirement, she made her home with her family in W. Hartford, Ct.

She is survived by her children, Peggy (Rick) Murphy of Keokuk, IA, Greg Morningstar of Orlando, Fl., Bill Morningstar of Quincy, IL., Mark (Debbie) Morningstar of Cottage Grove, WI, Jean Morningstar and Michelle Proper, both of W Hartford, CT, 16 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 16 great-grandchildren with another due in June, and 1 great-great granddaughter, one sister-in-law, Maruth Gruver of Vancouver, WA, one brother-in-law, Robert Basham of Quakertown, PA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey, her parents, three brothers, Walter, Richard and Tony Gruver, her cousin that was raised by her parents and was considered a brother, Michael F Dodd, four sisters-in-law, Marjorie Dodd, Miriam Gruver, Josephine Morningstar, and Jane Basham, and one niece, Maureen Torma.

Per her wishes she will be cremated, and the family will meet with friends on Friday, April 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 at Vigen Memorial Home. Her memorial mass will be Saturday, April 7th at 10:00 at All Saints Parish in Keokuk. A “Celebration of Life” gathering with family and friends will be held Saturday evening, April 7 at the KC Hall in Keokuk from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations may be made to the ASPCA or Mental Health America.

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