Rosa Lee (Murphy) Newton, 85, died at home on March 1 surrounded by loving family members after living for several years with dementia.
Rosa Lee was born June 28, 1939, in Troy, Kansas, and graduated from Troy High School in 1957. She completed teletype training in Omaha, Nebraska, and took a job with Capital Airlines in New York City in 1958.
She returned to Kansas after her beloved grandfather, Vachel Lewis, died and worked at Business Men’s Assurance in Kansas City. She then worked at Farmers Mutual in St. Joseph, Missouri, and married Otto Newton of Wathena, Kansas, on Oct. 16, 1959, in Troy, Kansas. She worked in a data entry position at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in Elwood, Kansas, before moving to Pensacola, Florida, where Otto completed helicopter flight training with the Navy.
The couple moved 16 times during their 65-year marriage, living in Chula Vista, California; Lawrence, Kansas; Bendena, Kansas; Houston, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Kingwood, Texas, before returning to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1994.
Rosa Lee worked in information systems at the University of Kansas while Otto attended law school there and later worked at the KU Endowment Association when the couple returned to Lawrence. While living in Houston, Rosa Lee worked for the Cypress-Fairbanks School District.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in anthropology at the University of Houston in 1994 and a master’s degree in social work at the University of Kansas in 2002.
The oldest of six siblings, Rosa Lee had a nurturing nature and loved spending time with family and friends throughout her life. She was a proud redhead and a wonderful cheerleader for her family, rarely missing any outing or activity. She served for several years as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Lawrence, following in the footsteps of her father who had been a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Troy.
She had a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh and an adventurous personality. Rosa Lee enjoyed traveling, especially road trips, often riding shotgun in Otto’s Model-T. She visited 46 states, Canada, Japan and Mexico. She had a generous disposition and made celebrations of any size festive and memorable. She took excellent care of her plants and loved the color orange (her nail polish preference the past few years) and never lost her affinity for an ice-cold Coke. Rosa Lee was a lifelong learner, often taking community classes to gain new skills, and her nightstand overflowed with novels and magazines. Rosa Lee also enjoyed going to movies and was an excellent cook and baker. Her coconut cake and cheesecake were family favorites.
She is survived by her husband, Otto; two daughters, Kim (Dan) Gronniger (Topeka, Kansas) and Kelli (Kevin) Breer (Westwood, Kansas); three grandchildren, Joe (Lacey) Gronniger; Catie Gronniger; and Keaton Breer; a brother, Marvin Murphy; two sisters, Mary (Greg) Johnson, and Becky (Miles) Gibson; three sisters-in-law, Patricia Williams, Patricia Murphy and Judy Murphy; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Urban and Veda (Lewis) Murphy, and two brothers, Vachel Murphy and Jerry Murphy.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church in Lawrence or the Visiting Nurses Association, whose fantastic employees provided excellent support to Rosa Lee and Otto and their daughters the past few months. Contributions can be sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Visitation will be on March 27th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, Kansas. Rosa Lee’s Celebration of Life will be on March 28th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Lawrence, 1330 Kasold Drive, Lawrence, Kansas. Lunch will be provided at the church following the service. After lunch, an interment of ashes ceremony at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. will conclude the services. The family welcomes you to attend any or all of these events to honor Rosa Lee and a life well-lived.
Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.
I met Rosa Lee through a mutual friend, Inge Starr. We would eat together, sometimes enjoying Inge’s delicious desserts at her house after eating out at restaurants. Rosa Lee and I renewed our friendship at DCCCA Center where I worked, while she was obtaining her Master’s of Social Work doing her semester of clinicals there. She was so very talented and determined to do her best. I will always remember my beautiful, loving redhead friend.
To Kim and family,
Rosa Lee and Otto shared an interesting and adventurous life.
From reading and movies to travel and an interest in the wider world, it is evident that Rosa Lee was a big influence on her talented and accomplished daughters.
I know she will be missed. My deepest condolences.
Kim & family, So sorry to hear this. Your mom was so kind—and such a gentle soul. She truly lived a life well-lived, and what a legacy she left—her family…You and family continue to be in our family prayers. Losing a parent is SO hard, but you shared so many special memories and will continue to pass on her legacy. Much love, Eddie & Jeannie
I am so sorry to hear of your Mother/Grandmother’s passing. I have been thinking of you lately, and now I know why. I loved reading about her life and wished I had met her. I know that the world is a better place because of her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Kim and family so sorry to hear of your lovely Mothers passing. Sweet and welcoming her nature.
Prayers to you all at this difficult time.
Jim & Cathy Rinner send your family prayers for comfort. God bless you 🙏.
Dearest grade- school BFF, Kim: my sincere condolences for your loss. I loved my visits with your family and the way your Mom always made me feel welcome. Ahhh, those breakfasts she would make were amazing to me. My house was a cold cereal experience. I couldn’t imagine the effort your Mom put into caring for you and I found her inspiring. May your Mom’s gentle spirit continue to bless your family.
May Our Heavenly Father be with you and your family at this time.Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. 🙏♥️
I count myself lucky to have been one of the countless people whose life was made brighter by having known this beautiful, caring and loving woman. She brought joy to everyone who knew her.