Rose Mae Hill

Rose Mae Hill was born on August 8, 1938 in Norfolk, Virginia. She was adopted by Benjamin Franklin Owens and Ollie May Owens and was raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was welcomed home by two older brothers, Charles L. Owens and Robert Ray Owens.

Rose married Norman Garris, together they had 2 children, Ida Mae Garris and Brenda Kay Garris. They divorced shortly afterwards. Rose worked hard to raise her girls, working at a carhop on roller skates, and waitressing at a local diner where in 1959 she met and fell in love with a handsome sailor named James L. Hill. They married on July 10, 1959 and had their first child, Anita Rae Hill, together. Six weeks later Jim got orders to relocate to Alameda, California. They loaded the car up with Ida and Brenda, put Anita in a banana crate and drove across the country. They lived in Alameda for 2 years then Jim was reassigned to MCRD in San Diego, California. Later he was ordered to the first of many ships he served on. On July 2, 1963 their son, James L. Hill Jr., was born. The family was complete.

With Jim’s tours overseas lasting 9 to 11 months at times, Rose took on the role as both parents. She worked many jobs supporting the family. She worked at Chem-Energy Corp. where she made good money, worked less and was able to spend more time with the family.

In 1970 Jim was assigned shore duty in Chicago, Illinois as Chief Petty Officer at the Navy Pier for 4 years. The family lived at Great Lakes Naval Station. Rose was hired on at Kitchens of Sara Lee Company, her most favorite job of her life. They bought a new Ford pickup truck with a camper. Whenever they could they traveled, 26 states and 3 provinces in Canada in total.

During this time Ida got married and had Rose and Jim’s 1st grandchild. Brenda got married and stayed in Illinois. They returned to San Diego.

Rose enjoyed being a grandmother with the addition of 2 more grandsons. Richard Jr. Philip and Robbie were the apple of her eyes. She got to enjoy them until 1977 when Jim retired and they moved to Bloomington, Nebraska to build their custom home which Jim designed. Jim opened the old gas station, with a welding and machine shop inside.

Rose worked at Pioneer Village in Minden, NE, then started working for Freddie Kolb’s Auction Service.

Rose and Jim became grandparents with their 4th grandson when Brenda gave birth to her son William “Billy Bob” Bratten.

Rose clerked for Freddie Kolb until his retirement. She took the job of Bloomington Village Clerk. Anita has been a mom to her many parrots over the years. Jimmy married Christi and had Rose and Jim’s first granddaughter Sarah Rose, followed by the birth of the last grandson of the family, Thomas James.

Joe and Pauline, Jim’s parents, moved back to Bloomington in 1989 and built their home across the street from them. Jim started driving semis for Werner Corp. out of Omaha, NE. At times he didn’t get to come home for many weeks at a time. Rose and Anita took care of them. Pauline passed in 1994. Jim was diagnosed with mesothelioma lung cancer in May 1996 and was forced to retire. Joe moved in with them as his health diminished and Oct. 15 he passed. On Nov. 11 Jim passed.

Rose moved into the small home across the street in 1998 and sold the big house. She retired as Village Clerk After 32 years. April 2018 Ida was diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor. Rose and Anita drove to San Diego, California to be with her. Ida passed on April 21. During her viewing Jim Jr. had a stroke and succumbed to that on April 29. In September 2019 Rose’s grandson Richard Passed from a heart attack. In November 2020 Rose’s son-in-law Richard Sr. Passed.

On June 11, 2026 Rose passed. Preceding her in paradise were her father and mother, her two brothers, both of her in-laws, her husband James L. of 36 years, her daughter, Ida Mae Trickey, her son, James L. Jr., her grandson, Richard Trickey Jr. and her son-in law Richard Trickey.

She leaves behind to honor her amazing and wonderful life, her daughter, Brenda K. Drolet, grandson, William “Billy Bob” Bratten, daughter, Anita R. Hill, daughter-in-law Christi Light, grand-daughter, Sarah Rose and grandson Thomas James, grandson, Philip D. Trickey and wife Darcie, great-grandson, Philip D. Trickey Jr., great-granddaughter, Hailey D. Trickey, great-grandson, Austin Trickey, great-granddaughters Domonique and Hannah Trickey, grandson, Robert J. Trickey and wife Sarah, great-granddaughter, Emily Rose Ball and husband Tyler Ball, great-great-granddaughter, Sophia Trickey and great-great-grandson, Wyatt Ball.

Funeral services for Rose Hill will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin, Nebraska. Burial will follow at the Mapel Grove Cemetery in Bloomington, Nebraska.

A Luncheon will be served following graveside services at the Bloomington Community Center, Bloomington, Nebraska hosted by the Franklin Ladies Auxiliary, Unit #209.

Memorials may be directed to the American Kidney Fund in care of Hutchins Funeral Home, PO Box 252, Franklin, Nebraska 68939.