Rose Frances (Erhart) Iten

Rose F. Dunbar Iten, 96, of Hamilton passed into God's care on January 2, 2017 at Aaron Care Home.

Born on July 25, 1920, in Almont, North Dakota, to John and Magdalena Kuntz Erhart, she was the oldest of nine children: Alois, Vincent, Alex, Celestine, Florian, Adam, Ted and Marion. The family moved to Grantsdale, Montana in 1936.  She married Walter West in 1939, and they had two children, Dorothy and Shirley. They later divorced and she married Doyle Dunbar in 1948 and had two children, Doyle and Robert.  Her husband Doyle died of cancer in 1958 and her son Doyle was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969. She married Walter Iten in 1969 and he preceded her in death in 1994.

            Rose was a Gold Star Mother in the Veteran's of Foreign War Ladies Auxiliary, belonged to the Eagles Auxiliary and loved to bowl.  She loved to crochet and sew and won many awards at the Ravalli County Fair. “Grandma Roses” put many hours into providing afghans and quilts for family marriages and births. She was an avid pinochle player, enjoyed family games, Senior Center and Golden Agers pinochle clubs.  She always maintained a wonderful garden and her canning expertise kept her family well fed. 

           She is survived by: daughters Dorothy (Vern) Marvin of Las Vegas and Shirley (Bill) Foster of Hamilton, and son Robert (Fran) Dunbar of Corvallis.  She has 7 grandchildren: Gayle Rose Marvin, Cindy (Scott) McCombs, and Gary Marvin of Las Vegas, NV; Julie (Tim) Watson of Mesa, AZ; Rod (Gail) Boulter of Lewistown, MT; Christina Dunbar of Hamilton and Matt Dunbar of Butte.  7 Great Grandchildren: Tony and Nick McCombs, Kealy (McCombs) Bush, Jeremy Boulter, Brooke Watson Justin Marvin and Nick Bleisner. 6 Great-Great Grandchildren: Karli, Chloe, and Emily McCombs; Irelynn, Jaxon and Brady Bush.  Brothers Florian, Ted, and sister Celestine, brother-in-law Bernie  (Jewell) Huff and sister-in-law Agnes Erhart .

            Rose was a member of St. Francis Catholic Parish in Hamilton and due to inclement weather; services will be delayed until near her birthday in July when all family members can travel more freely.

The family wishes to thank the many friends who assisted Rose at the Manor at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, Aaron Home Care and Hospice.