Hometown: Olin, Iowa April 10, 1926 - April 03, 2015

Rosemary Mae Slater died April 3, 2015 at the age of 88 years while living at the Solon Care Center where she had many friends.

Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at Olin Community Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin, Iowa. Burial will be held at the Olin Cemetery.

Born on April 10, 1926 at home in Altamont, IL (Effingham County, Blue Mound Township). Her parents were Thomas Leroy McDonald and Viola Matilda (McDonald) Twiss. Both are deceased.

Rosemary has seven siblings: Mildred Campbell (deceased), Walter McDonald (deceased), Charles McDonald (deceased), Emma Jane Nelson (deceased), Lou Ann Putts, and Joe McDonald. Rosemary is survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Grafft.

Rosemary graduated from Olin High School in 1944.

Rosemary married Jay Grant Slater on July 8, 1945 at the Olin Methodist Church. They made their home on a farm in Jones Co.

Rosemary and Jay had four children: Nancy (Michael – deceased) Petersen, Barbara (Dennis – deceased) Doherty, Scott (Barbara) Slater, and John (Pat) Slater. They have eight grandchildren: Chris Doherty, Katherine (Jason) Sieren, Callie (Jeff) Slater-Tangemen, Carrie (Ron) Thole, Nick (Joslyn) Slater, Jill (Adam) Miller, Jason (Kathy) Slater, and Jennifer (Mike) Zoller. They have fifteen great-grandchildren: Carmen, Greta, Charlotte, Eliza, Jack, Justin, Maggie, Nellie, Grant, Adalyn, Alan, Jay, Madison, Ethan and Audrey. Rosemary enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rosemary and Jay farmed first with Jay's parents and later on their own. They raised Holstein dairy cows and did crop farming. Rosemary was very active in the farming operation, helping with the bookwork and fieldwork. For most of her life she had a large garden and took care of all the yard work. Rosemary was a skilled seamstress, making clothing and quilts for her family. Rosemary was active in the Olin Methodist Church. She was Superintendent of the Sunday School, President of the Ladies Aide Society, and served on the Church board.

Rosemary will be greatly missed by her family.

Memorials may be directed to Friends of Olin Emergency Services.