Rosemary (Rosie) Dirksen, 72, passed away Friday, April 23, 2010 in Corvallis surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Rosie was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Clark and Alberta (Summers) Simpson on October 6, 1937. She spent her early school years there and moved to California with her family in 1952.

Rosie was a secretary for several years with Aetna Insurance company and enjoyed her work as a switchboard operator at Gary Steel Co. She met the love of her life, L.J. (Dirk) Dirksen, and they married in Las Vegas on September 3, 1964. They started their family in southern California, and later moved to Sweet Home, Oregon in 1978.

Rosie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend with a magnetic personality that everyone loved. Her charm, kindness, and loving spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Rosie was full of life and laughter; some of her hobbies were painting, cooking, crosswords, and computer games, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren who she loved immensely.

Rosie is survived by: her husband, Dirk; her daughter, Daniele and partner Sharon of Portland, Lisa Cooper and husband Bob, Lydia Paterson and husband Seth, and daughter Lynn Dirksen—all of Vancouver, Washington; granddaughter, Alicia; and grandsons, Zachary and Jake. She is also survived by her siblings, Donald, Carol, Barbara, Bob, and Ron and all of her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Sweet Home Evangelical Church. A Celebration of Life to follow at the Sweet Home VFW. Final burial will be at Lewis Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.