Rose Starr, 87, of Charles City

Rose Starr, 87, of Charles City, passed away at home on Sunday, August 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

A funeral service for Rose Starr will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City. Burial will follow at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Rose Mary (Theilen) Starr, the daughter of Henry and Julia (McLaughlin) Theilen, was born on May 15, 1939, in Mason City, Iowa. Rose grew up on the family farm and after her parents passed away at a young age, she helped take care of her siblings. She attended and graduated from high school in Elma. Rose was united in marriage to James “Jim” Henry Starr on August 3rd, 1957, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

Rose was a homemaker most of her life raising six children. When her children were a little bit older, she was a substitute cook for school cafeterias, sold Avon, and later was a certified nurse’s aide for home health care for many years. Rose enjoyed the fellowship of the neighborhood coffee club and was a member of the rosary society at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockwell. In the early 80’s, she attended NIACC with her daughters to take classes for sign language.

Rose loved cooking, tending to her flowers, and watching her hummingbirds. She also created many quilts and clothes for her family. Rose and Jim, along with their family and friends, spent many summers at “Starr Cabin” in Minnesota. They enjoyed their time camping and fishing on the lake. Especially trout fishing with her sister-in-law, Betty. Rose and Jim also spent many winters on the Gulf Coast. Rose was very family-orientated and supported her grandchildren with all their school activities. Rose was a caretaker all of her life and will be missed for her love and kindness.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 69 years, Jim Starr; children: Carolyn (Jim) Schwickerath, James Starr, Timothy (Lori) Starr, Thomas (Charlene) Starr, Todd (Jessica Williams) Starr, and Teresa Starr; grandchildren: Sara Gonzalez, Dennise Patterson, Jacob Starr, Joseph Starr, Jeffery Starr, Julie Paccamonti, Joshua Schwickerath, Jeremey Kettwig, Jessica Moore, Trey Hennick, Amanda Winters, Brooke Starr, Dalton Starr, Brittany Starr, Justin Starr, and Maresa Starr; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers: John Theilen and Joseph Theilen; sisters: Joanna Lubbert, Katherine Welshans, Julia Natvig, and Anna Jones; special friends, Phillis and her late husband, Louie Nelson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; great-granddaughter, Amelia Schwickerath; daughter-in-law, Jean Starr; and brothers: Marlan Theilen, Harold Theilen, Theodore Theilen, Henry Theilen, and James Theilen.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.