Rosie Walden, age 85, of Hidalgo, IL passed away at 7:54 pm, June 2 at the Cumberland
Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Greenup.
Celebration of Life services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday June 11, 2022, at the Barkley
Funeral Chapel in Greenup, IL. Memorial visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Saturday at
the funeral chapel. Burial will be at a later date in the Aten Cemetery.
Rose Lee Pearl Walden, better known as “Rosie”, was born on July 3, 1936, in Cumberland
County. She was one of thirteen children born to Elmer “Sporty”; and Lucille Ward Brandenburg.
Her childhood was not easy but because of her responsibilities as the eldest child, she became a
“farmer” and caregiver well beyond her age. Rosie’s kind gentle spirit was instilled by her mother
despite the hardships in their lives. During her 8th grade year of school, Rosie contracted
rheumatic fever. While homebound, she discovered an avid love for reading which continued
throughout her life. During her teens, she decided to change her given name, RosaLee Pearl to
the name she is now known.
Before graduating from Cumberland High School in 1953, she was crowned “Cinderella”t; at an
event with her date being a fella named Orval. Their first date was after Orval stopped by the
Candy Kitchen where Rosie was employed. Rosie’s passion was to become a nurse. However,
due to lack of funding and a love for Orval, that passion was never fulfilled. They were married
on October 10, 1954, at the Hidalgo Church of Christ. To this union, three children were added,
Diana, Dan and Randy.
In regard to careers, she worked hard alongside Orval creating a farm, became a bookkeeper for
Ettelbrick Shoe Factory, waitressed in several different restaurants and served as a school
secretary for Jasper County Unit 1. While a school secretary, her gentle, sweet, kind personality
was obvious as students and staff still reflects on the high admiration they had and still have for
her today. Because of her continued passion for nursing, later in life she became an EMT and a
Hospice volunteer. Rosie’s most enduring part of her life was her family. Her unconditional love
continued with 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. In retirement, Rosie and Orval
became snowbirds with extended stays in Florida and Arizona where they enjoyed golf and get-
togethers with family and friends.
Rosie had some health issues in her life but in November 2011, a severe stroke changed her life
and her family’s lives. Since 2012, she resided at the Cumberland Rehabilitation Center where
she was visited by many friends and family. Being loved by many of the staff there, it did become
a second home to her with what she considered extended family. They, to talk of her warm,
sweet ways. With her love of family when visiting, she most often asked before anything else,
“Did you bring the kids and how are they?”
Being a faithful member of the Yale Church of Christ, her Christian values were always prevalent.
She and Orval enjoyed hosting many nights in their home singing hymns and fellowshipping with
others. Even while at the nursing home, she and Orval sang their favorite hymns before bedtime.
Although her voice faltered at the end, when she heard Orval sing her right foot would tap right
along to the beat. Her home has changed once again with her voice being restored as she now
sings with the angels.
Memorials can be made to the Cumberland Rehab Auxiliary. Online condolences can be
expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com
