Rose Annette Ellis, lovingly known to many as “Nettie,” 70, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at Pinnacle Specialty Care Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, under the care of St. Croix Hospice.

In her final moments, Rose was surrounded by love, with her daughter, Brittany Goken; Brittany’s fiancé, Matthew; and Rose’s best friend of many years, Mary Cormaney-Peters, by her side.

Rose was born on April 12, 1956, in Bakersfield, California. She spent her younger years growing up on a grape vineyard, a special part of her childhood and the beginning of the many stories that made up her life. As she grew older, Rose was a hardworking woman who spent time working for Siemens Trucking and later managing Casey’s in Reinbeck, Iowa. Through her work, she met many people along the way, and, with her outgoing personality and sense of humor, she was certainly someone you didn’t easily forget.

Rose loved the simple things in life, especially camping and fishing and spending time with the people she loved most. When her children were growing up, you could often find her on the sidelines or in the stands, proudly watching and cheering them on in whatever sport they were involved in. That love carried on to the next generation, as Rose treasured attending her grandsons’ sporting events and watching them do the things they loved.

Being a grandma was one of Rose’s greatest joys. She loved her five grandsons with all her heart and was incredibly proud of each of them and the young men they were becoming. Each one held a very special place in her heart, and she loved sharing stories about them and celebrating their accomplishments. Her love and pride for her grandsons were something she carried with her always.

If you knew Rose, you knew she had a personality all her own. She had a wonderfully mischievous side and a sense of humor that could keep everyone laughing. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, tease the people she loved, or give you a hard time just to get a smile. Her humor, sass, and one-of-a-kind personality are just a few of the many things her family and friends will miss most.

Rose will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Aaron and Esther Faulkner; her brother, Richard; and her sisters, Betty and Shirley.

Rose is survived by her daughter, Brittany Goken and fiancé Matthew of Traer, Iowa; her son, Tobey Elliott of Minnesota; her five beloved grandsons, Brogan Ellis-Schipper, Dierks Goken, Maveryk Goken, Jevick Elliott, and Dominic Elliott; her brother, Don (Maureen) Faulkner; as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 13, from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at the Lincoln AMVETS Hall, 110 E. Main Street, Lincoln, Iowa.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the family in Rose’s memory.