Rosalie Carol Hepler

Rosalie Carol Hepler

Rosalie “Rose” Carol Hepler passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 2nd, 2024 at St. John Hospital in Longview WA.

Rose was born January 26th, 1949, in Chehalis WA. She grew up in Toledo on a farm and in Winlock with her parents and siblings.

 While the family lived in Winlock, Rose and her sister Virginia would pick strawberries to earn money for their school clothes. A truck picked them up in the morning and dropped them off at night. Rose was one of the best strawberry pickers in the field. She liked to earn money.

 At that time, our Dad was horse logging and owned a horse or two. He worked with and for a logger who had a contract up by Mt. St. Helens. On the weekend, Dad drove up to feed the horses. Rose, Rita, Hank, and Virginia would go with him when it wasn't strawberry-picking season.

 They all rode in the back of the old pickup truck. Rose especially enjoyed this. We all loved to go feed the horses! Sometimes we go to stop at Kid Valley Store to get an ice cream novelty item.

 In 1961, Rose moved with our mom and sister Rita to Olympia. Their mom bought Norm’s Drive-In. Every day after school, Rose and Rita would work in the restaurant with their mother and Virginia. Rose washed tables, chopped vegetables, fill the ice bin, make up the trays, etc. During Rose’s senior year, Rose met Raymond Hepler and fell in love. On April 13, 1968, Rose and Ray eloped. Rose and Ray moved to Hoquiam and Ray began working at a Shake Mill. 

 The Shake Mill in Hoquiam eventually shut down so Rose and Ray relocated to Longview to pursue a new job opportunity at Weyerhauser.

 On March 12th, 1971, Rose and Ray welcomed daughter Deborah Lynn to their family. At some point, Rose and Ray with Debbie in tow moved to a family property in Castle Rock.

 Rose enjoyed picking Cascade Mountain Blackberries with her sister Virginia. Despite extremely rough terrain, they were successful and took home many berries. They would always bake a Blackberry pie. 

 Rose was an amazing woman with an exceptionally good memory, among her many traits, and attention to detail. She also had strengths in empathy and compassion. She loved her family and Joy, her caregiver. We love and miss her. She will forever be in our hearts. 

 Rose is survived by her daughter Deborah (Gary) LaRoy of Castle Rock, sister Virginia Munger of Olympia, sister Rita (James) Rose of Littlerock WA, brother Henry “Hank” Rakoz of Longview, sister-in-law Winnie Rakoz of Chehalis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Hepler, her parents, Fritz Rakoz and Adora Ritchie, her sister and brother-in-law Celie and Rick Anderson, sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Leroy Ward, brother Larry Rakoz, and sister-in-law Barbara Rakoz. 

 There will be “Celebration of Life” on Saturday, October 19th at 2:00 pm, 2024 at Hubbard Funeral Home in Castle Rock WA. There will be a Memorial Service with a reception to follow. Lunch will be served but feel free to bring anything you like.