Rose Marie (DeNeve) Wendell, 82, passed away, July 6, 2016 at her home in Custer, SD.

Rose was born in Mitchell, SD during the "dirty 30's", September 19, 1933. She was one of two children born to Rose Anna (Poitras) and August DeNeve. The family moved frequently, with Rose attending elementary schools in Moline, IL., Letcher, SD and Woonsocket, SD. High school was attended in Artesian, SD. On February 3, 1951, she married Lyle Andrew Wendell, who had been recently discharged from the Army following WWII. The couple purchased the farm of Dan and Verna Wendell, and there they raised ten children. Rose was active in the community, 4-H, and church, and also took numerous business classes at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD. In 1972 she became an office manager for a political campaign office, and then worked as a bookkeeper at a jewelry store in Mitchell.
The family left the farm August 1973 and moved to Pierre, when Lyle was appointed State Secretary of Revenue. Rose earned her real estate brokers license in July 1977, and was a graduate of the Realtors Institute in January 1979. She sold real estate and did bookwork for Lyle's Landmark Appraisal business. In 1981 and 1982 Rose was president of the Board of Realtors and the Toastmistress Club. Easter Seals began her next career path, as a Respite Care Coordinator in Feb. 1983. By July 1988, Rose was appointed Executive Director, serving with dedication until Nov. 1996. The couple bought their first pair of black Arabian horses while in Pierre, a new venture from the Quarter horses they kept on the farm.

Having planned to eventually live in the Black Hills area, the couple then moved to Custer, and opened a real estate office, first as Landmark Real Estate, then Century 21. A gift shop, Gallery West, was added in the building, which was Rose's baby. Retirement eventually beckoned, and the businesses were sold in 2003. Rose was also involved in Zonta, Custer Lion's Club, and Meals on Wheels. Lyle and Rose hosted many Wendell family reunions at their Custer home, where they also raised numerous horses. She loved having her children and their families home for the holidays and summer stays, and "Grams" was someone very special to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After 3 ½ years of study, Rose was commissioned as a Catholic Lay Minister January 15, 2015. She was very involved with various church committees and as a sacristan; Rose loved her church and all her friends there. She always enjoyed travel, and joined two church tours to Italy and one to Ireland, collecting rosaries and cross necklaces as mementos.

Blessed to have shared the life of our treasured Rose are her brother, Walter DeNeve of Custer; children: Kate (Richard) Wendell Rieck, Rapid City, SD; Daniel (Jane) Wendell, Boise, ID; Mark (Elena) Wendell, West Lake Village, CA; Jane Canaday, Juneau, AK; Ellen (Jacques) Lefebvre, Bermuda Dunes, CA; Gregory (RoseAnn) Wendell, Pierre, SD; Barbara (Marc) Wendell-Schechter, Sioux Falls, SD; Gordon (Carmen) Wendell, Summerset, SD; Joel Wendell (fiance' Leili Plasencia), Corpus Christi, TX; 24 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lyle, daughter Connie Denise, and granddaughter Shanda Lynn.

A vigil will be held 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Church in Custer with Celebrant Fr. Kerry Prendiville, Con Celebrant Fr. Brian Lane and Deacon Pat Coy. Interment will follow at the Custer Cemetery in Custer.