Monte Lewis Rose, 72, of Lawrence, KS, died at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on February 8, 2024, ten months after receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Monte was born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1951, to Bob and Leda (Ridlon) Rose, the second of five children. The family moved to the Clinton area, and Monte attended Wakarusa Valley Elementary before moving to Lawrence, where he attended Central Junior High and Lawrence High.
Monte was an athlete who excelled at multiple sports, most notably baseball, wrestling, and basketball. He took classes at Butler County Junior College and the University of Kansas before joining the workforce. Monte was a skilled carpenter and later became an electrician. In 2014, he retired as the Facilities Manager after more than 30 years working at the Kmart Distribution Center in Lawrence.
Monte met Sharon Engle in 1971 at The Stables, a Lawrence bar, and the two were married in 1973. They would have celebrated their 51st anniversary two weeks after Monte’s death. Though life was hardscrabble in the early years, Monte and Sharon enjoyed road trips, live music, and camping. After their kids were grown, the couple made annual visits to Yellowstone National Park and the Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, CO. Monte helped orchestrate extended family reunions in Yellowstone for both his family and Sharon’s family, introducing everyone he could to that special place.
Monte and Sharon had two daughters, Kelle and Laura. Monte was a loving father who would do anything for his girls. He passed along his love and skill for cooking to Laura and his love for camping and road trips to Kelle. Both inherited his passion for reading and tendency for being a know-it-all.
Intelligent with varied interests, Monte dabbled in many hobbies over the years. He continued to play sports, primarily racquetball and softball, until his knees gave out. In his younger years, he hunted and taught gun safety courses. He always loved being outdoors, whether camping, driving aimlessly, or puttering around in the yard. An avid reader, he devoured science fiction and fantasy novels, American Rifleman and Popular Mechanics magazines, and the local newspaper. As the primary chef in the family, he liked to read a recipe and then make up his own version of it—but his specialty was chili and other stews. He enjoyed researching his Scottish heritage and partaking in some of its primary cultural outputs: listening to bagpipe music and drinking Scotch. Even with his illness, he was his family’s go-to source for advice on home and car repair, cooking, and gardening.
In his later years, being grandfather to Penelope was his favorite role. Grandpa and Penny loved to plant flowers, hunt for interesting rocks, and stroll downtown. He never left a store without a trinket for Penny, whether she was with him or not.
Monte will always be remembered for his love for his family and friends, his intelligence, and his generosity. He is loved and missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
Monte was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Leda Rose. He is survived by his wife Sharon (Engle) Rose of Lawrence; daughters Kelle Rose of Seattle, WA, and Laura Rose Clawson (Chris) of Lawrence; granddaughter Penelope Clawson of Lawrence; sister Becky; brothers Randy, Bob (Wendy), and Joe (Diane); and many nieces and nephews whom he loved.
Never one to be the center of attention, Monte did not want a formal memorial service. The family looks forward to receiving visitors and sharing stories to remember Monte on Friday, February 23, 5:00-7:00 PM, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence. Memorial donations in Monte’s name may be made to Lawrence Humane Society and the National Park Foundation.
