Rosella Anne Schnakenberg, 87

Rosella Anne Schnakenberg, 87, of California, formerly of Cole Camp, died Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at St. Mary's Health Center, Jefferson City.  She was born on September 30, 1927, in Cole Camp, Missouri, a daughter of Hugo and Alma (Harms) Schnakenberg.

She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Cole Camp, where she was a life-long member.  She attended Prairie Flower School and St. John's Church School.  She graduated from Cole Camp High School as valedictorian and graduated from Central Business College in Sedalia.  She began work at the Bank of Ionia in 1948, eventually retiring more than 50 years later as vice-president of First Community Bank.  She served that community well.

Rosella was very dedicated to her church.  She carried on a Harms family tradition of serving as church organist, a position she held for more than 50 years.  She also taught Sunday School for more than 50 years, transcribed church records that had been written in German, and was active in many other parts of the St. John's congregation.  For the past several years, Rosella had resided in the California area and attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

She is survived by:  a nephew, Robert Denker Jr. of California;
two nieces, Margaret Colletti of Wheaton, IL, and Elizabeth Wheeler of Lee's Summit; their families, including eight great-nieces and nephews; and
a brother-in-law, Robert Denker Sr. of California.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Alma Schnakenberg, a sister, Elora Denker, and an infant sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Cole Camp, with Pastor Michael Boothby officiating.  Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sedalia.

The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at the church with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to St. John's Lutheran Church or Lutheran Hour Ministries in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.