Obituary of Rosa Lee Zahlke

Rosa Lee Zahlke died July 10, 2011. She was 91. She was born January 19, 1920, in Louisville, KY. Rosa, also known as Rose, was the daughter of Charles Pomate and Margaret Kessler Hutton. In 1936, Rose married Lee Leo Harlan in San Diego, California. The couple had four daughters; Joann, who preceded her in 2002, DorothyDenver Wear and Frances Gene McCarty both of Washougal, and Evelyn Louise Harlan of McLean, TX. Rose moved to Washougal from Lake Elsinore, CA when her second husband became ill with cancer. She was a former resident of the Pythian Home, and a resident of the Rio Vista ASH of Vancouver, WA. During WW II she worked for the Hoffman Radio Corp., Los Angeles, CA, on the electrical assembling line; was a professional laundress, and her family recalls, she made the best bread around town, but also shared most of it with her neighbors. After the death of her first husband, Rose married Joseph Raymond Zahlke, Oct 6, 1969 in Reno, NV. He preceded her in 1998, and she was also preceded by one sister and five brothers. She loved attending the Storm's baseball games in Lake Elsinore, California and was one of their honored fans by having her own parking space and seat in the stadium. Her activities included being a Camp Fire leader, soprano in her church choir, PTA's, and mostly enjoyed her music and singing to her children. Singing with her large record collection was her most enjoyable moments, especially Elvis Presley, Lawrence Welk, and music of the 1930's and 40's. She was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary of Lake Elsinore, CA; Charter Member of the National WWII Memorial, Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Golden State Unit. Rose is survived by three of her daughters, 16 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 23rd, 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 17010 NE 9th Street, Vancouver, WA with later private interment at Willamette National Cemetery. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation is in charge of the services. To send condolences or sign the online guest book, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to SW Hospital Hospice.