Rosalie M. Tovar, 88, Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
She was born August 10, 1936 in Mound City, Missouri to William H. “Jack” and Beryl (Hand) Cook. Rosalie grew up in the Mound City and Forest City, Missouri areas, graduating from Forest City High School in 1954.
Rosalie attended St. Joseph School of Nursing, earning her nursing certificate in 1957, which launched a long career as a registered nurse. She worked in several hospitals, nursing homes and at Missouri Western State University, before working 28 years at the Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, where she retired in 2009.
She was very active in her community in her younger years serving in leadership roles for the PTA, American Red Cross, League of Women Voters and St. Joseph Drug Council, all while working full time and raising five children.
Rosalie loved reading historical biographies, puzzles, scenic drives in the country, traveling, and music. She had a love of football, especially the Chiefs and Notre Dame. She also enjoyed birds, especially cardinals, and flowers, with pansies being her favorite.
She was fascinated by flight, learning everything she could about airplanes and even took flying lessons. She loved to watch them fly over.
Rosalie attended St. John LaLande Catholic Church in Blue Springs, Missouri, and exemplified God’s teachings with the true heart of a caregiver – loving and sacrificing, and always putting her family first. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and their families. She was always available and interested to hear about her family’s activities and life events.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Cook, Beryl and Ray Brock; and siblings, Eula Mae Browning and James A. Cook.
Survivors include her children, Manuel Tovar Jr. (Pam), Mireya Smith (Kevin), Maria Genaris (Peter), Mark Tovar (Charemon), and Marilu Suholaski (Jon); 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, with one on the way; sister, Suzanne Hardy; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Friday, St. Joseph Cathedral Catholic Church. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery, Mound City, Missouri. Parish Rosary, 5:30 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where the family will gather with friends 6:00 to 7:00 P.M.
