Roselea Hafner Grasssman

Roselea Hafner Grassman, 96, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Edgewater Senior Living Community in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Roselea was born on August 25, 1927 to Charles W.E. and Mary C. (Kelly) Hafner in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1945. On August 2, 1947, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Grassman. They were blessed with three daughters, Marcia, Mary Beth and Julie. As an infant, Mary Beth was diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU). As a result of that diagnosis, Roselea and Dick became advocates and worked with the Iowa Legislature to make PKU testing of newborns mandatory so that no other children would suffer the intellectual challenges that result from delayed treatment.

Roselea remained a lifelong advocate for the care, nurturing and support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was a tireless volunteer at her church, her daughters’ schools, Catholic Women’s League, Mercy Hospital, Mosaic of Central Iowa and Edgewater. She loved to walk, a habit started early with her dad. She was an avid reader who enjoyed cooking, travel, golf, year-round fun at Lake Okoboji, walks on a Florida beach, decorating for every holiday and following any sport or activity that her family was part of. Most of all she loved caring for her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband of 76 years, Dick; daughters, Marcia (Gary) Hammers, Mary Beth Grassman and Julie (Randy) Richardson; her grandchildren, Ashley (Steve) Nielsen and Connor (Lindsay) Richardson; and three great grandsons, Nicholas, Jacob and Lucas Nielsen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Marie Powers; brother Chuck Hafner; and son-in-law Rusty Adams.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 7075 Ashworth Rd also in West Des Moines. If guests are not able to attend the service in person, the family invites friends to join them virtually by clicking the livestream link at the end of the obituary below and accessible on the day of the service. Private burial at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, at Roselea’s request, memorials may be directed to Mosaic of Central Iowa, c/o Mosaic Foundation, 4980 S. 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68137. Online donations can be made at https://www.mosaicinfo.org/donate-today/ There is an option on this page to designate the gift in memory of Roselea.

We are so very grateful for the loving care Roselea received from the Wesley Life Edgewater and Hospice nurses, nursing assistants and staff. Edgewater is truly an extension of family. We miss you dearly but will be forever grateful to have called you our beautiful wife, mother and grandma.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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