Rosalie Janett (Lewis) Garwood was born on January 26, 1946, in Herbert, Saskatchewan, to Golden & Hertha (Janz) Lewis. She peacefully passed from this life into the presence of the Lord Jesus, whom she loved and served, in the early morning hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 79, with her loving husband, David, by her side.

Along with three younger siblings, Rosalie spent her childhood in Three Hills, Alberta.  She enjoyed growing up in a small town, in a close-knit community on the campus of Prairie Bible Institute, where her dad worked. Prairie owned property at nearby Pine Lake, and she often spoke very fondly of summer vacations there. Rosalie’s parents didn’t have a lot of money when they were raising their children, but they were rich in the things that matter—love, fellowship, service to one’s fellow-man, and faith in the living God!—qualities which would come to characterize Rosalie throughout her life.

After graduating from Prairie High School, Rosalie studied for three years in the Bible college, then worked at various office jobs on campus, before travelling, in 1970, to Lorrach, Germany, where she served as a missionary, teaching piano, doing office work, and travelling throughout Germany with a team of evangelists—the Janz Brothers (her uncles)—and their colleagues. After two years, she left Germany and went to Carnforth, England, where she attended Capernwray Hall, a Bible school and conference center, for several months. She looked back on her experience at Capernwray as a time and place in which her love for Jesus deepened and blossomed: she returned to Alberta shortly thereafter as a changed person.

After a couple of years in Lacombe, working as a receptionist for chiropractors, Don and Bruce Pedersen, Rosalie returned to Three Hills, to work as office manager and mission hostess at Japan Evangelical Mission. Her friend, Nellie, introduced Rosalie to her brother, David, who was studying at the Bible college. For more than two years, David saw Rosalie as “just my sister’s friend.” But later, their acquaintance grew into a deep friendship, then into a deep love for each other. They happily married, in Three Hills, on June 27, 1981.

Fourteen months later, much-loved son, Benno, was born. Rosalie had always been a great lover of children: her eight nephews and nieces adored her, and she them. So, being Benno’s loving mother was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream!  Following in her mom’s footsteps, Rosalie used her fabulous cooking skills, listening ear, and loving hospitality to be “the hostess with the mostest” (Dad Garwood’s title for her) to many guests, from far and wide.

After a few years of being a stay-at-home mom (her favorite job!) Rosalie returned to the workforce parttime, in various administrative assistant and management positions at Prairie, and later at Fellowship International Mission; she also served as Head Librarian at Three Hills Library. In all of these roles, and in her various contacts and interactions in the community, she consistently was known for her strong organization and clear communication skills, as well as being very personable, and intentionally relational. Her delightful sense of humor often came wrapped in a layer of sassiness or sarcasm, which would then melt into a beautiful smile which drew people into the warmth of her kind and caring heart! All of this she balanced with clear, gracious stating of boundaries and principles as needed. Rosalie’s name means “Giver of Love”—and she lived up to her name abundantly!

Rosalie had learned to play piano as a child, and she used those skills well in her adult years, teaching piano lessons at various times, playing piano at church, as well as planning and directing numerous Christmas music programs, dramas, etc.  Her rich alto voice was a delight, as she sang in duets, trios, ensembles and choirs, over the years. For many years, David and Rosalie played piano and organ together, at church, and at numerous weddings and funerals.

In 2009, David and Rosalie made the move to “the big city” of Red Deer, where Rosalie continued to make friendships and to entertain guests. Also, they continued their habit of road trips within Canada and the USA, often visiting relatives and friends.

Sadly, in 2015, Rosalie suffered a stroke, which affected the language center of her brain, afflicting her with both expressive and receptive aphasia. She maintained her pleasant and determined approach to life, but as time passed, it became apparent that there were other problems, and sadly she was diagnosed with dementia.

It was a devastating experience for David, in 2019, to make the gut-wrenching decision to place Rosalie into care—first at The Hamlets of Red Deer, and later at Bethany Collegeside.  They both suffered through the loss of her sharp, organized mind, and her decreasing memory, and all the other myriad deprivations which dementia exacts upon its sufferers.  The journey has been long; the grief has been real—and God has remained grace-filled and true.  As a family, we extend deep gratitude to the staff of Bethany, for being to Rosalie the hands, feet, and providers of care which we were unable to provide. The decision to “send away” our most treasured wife/mother was heartbreaking and bewildering, to say the least, and we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts, for “being there” for Rosalie, and for us: you will never be forgotten!

Rosalie is survived by her husband of 44 years, David, of Red Deer County, Alberta; by her son, Benno and his wife Bethany, of Butte, Montana; by brother Lloyd (& wife, Carol) Lewis, of Lacombe, Alberta; by sister Lois (& husband, Wade) Sutherland, of Mayne Island, British Columbia; by brother Reg (& wife, Myra) of Foothills, Alberta; by four nieces and four nephews, and their families; and numerous cousins; as well as David’s siblings and their families, and many friends.  She was predeceased by her parents, Golden & Hertha Lewis, in 2002 and 2007, respectively; by triplet siblings, James, Joan and John, in 1947; and by great-niece, Emily Honecker, in 1996.

Following a graveside service at Three Hills Cemetery, at 10:00am, on Tuesday, July 29, relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service at CrossRoads Church, 38105 Range Road 275, Red Deer County, at 2:00pm, with a reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Prison Bible Encounter Program at Prairie College, David and Rosalie’s alma mater (prairie.edu); or to Bethany Collegeside, Rosalie’s recent home away from home (bethanycarefoundation.com). Condolences to Rosalie’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please put “Rosalie Garwood” in the subject line.

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944

• Date : 2025-07-17
• Location : Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer AB (Locally Owned)