Rose Marie Scarpino

Rose Marie Scarpino, 79, passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from respiratory failure. Rose was born on February 1, 1933, to Frank and Jessie Crandall, and raised on the family farm outside Summerset, Iowa. The family moved to Norwalk, where she attended Norwalk public school, graduating from high school in 1951. While in high school, she was a member of the girls’ basketball team and made many lifelong friends.

She moved to Des Moines to work at Solar Aircraft. She was married to Bill Scarpino on November 28, 1953. She stayed at home to raise the family’s four children, and it was only when they were older that she refocused her efforts at obtaining her teaching degree. She attended Drake University, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She went on to enjoy a 33-year career as an educator and administrator in the Des Moines public school system, the majority of them at Jefferson Elementary Traditional School, where she taught several grades and served as assistant principal. She retired from teaching in 2000.

Rose is survived by her four children, Susan (Michael) Huppert of Des Moines, Iowa, Bill (Cindy) Scarpino of Des Moines, Iowa, Diane (David) Summers of Houston, Texas, and Gail (Marty) Stutz of Des Moines Iowa; her seven grandchildren, Alex Ryan, Noah Jackson, Paul and Jacob Summers, and Ella, Jackie and Marcus Stutz; her three step-grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, and Katherine Huppert; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rose will be remembered for putting her family first, her patriotism, her devotion to her faith and education, as well as her sense of humor. In her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling, with one of the special highlights being a trip to Rome through her church that included an audience with Pope John Paul II. She was an active member of the Crown Colony Homeowners’ Association, and enjoyed the friendship of her neighbors, especially the annual holiday get-together.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street. A private burial will take place at the family burial plot in Indianola. Family will greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30 p.m., on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Jefferson Elementary PTA in her memory.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www. HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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