Memorial
Joan Rosche, 93, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at 12:30 PM at the chapel. Burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. In her memory, she asked people attending her service to dress in joyful clothes.
Joan was born August 30, 1932, in Brockway, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Basil and AdaMae. She attended a one-room schoolhouse with best friends Jeannie and Dena. They had many happy summers playing on a nearby farm. In high school, she was a drum majorette and became one of the only graduates in Brockway to attend college. She came to faith early in life guided by her loving Granny. Joan followed her faith to National College in Kansas City earning a degree in Christian Education and was involved in mission work.
After Joan attended Mount Mercy College to renew her certificate, she worked as a Title I reading teacher and an early education teacher for Taylor and Hiawatha Elementaries. She cherished her students and believed in the potential of each child in her classes. Joan was a voracious reader and passionately loved nature. She embraced technology and loved playing word games. She was a gentle poet who wrote until just days before she passed.
She loved to hear the call of the bobwhite quail and longed for spring jonquils, summer rains, and crisp leaves rustling in the fall. She tolerated winter.
Joan met James Rosche at a church dance in Cedar Rapids; their romance continued through nearly six decades. She loved her church home at Kenwood Park Methodist church where she attended over 60 years. She continued serving God through mission projects and other activities at Kenwood Park. She left a legacy of belief that every person is equal in the eyes of the Lord.
Her survivors include her sons, John Rosche and his fiancée, Allison Kahl, and David (Cynthia) Rosche; her daughter, Wendy (Derek) Coffman; seven grandchildren, Tyler Rosche, Rachel Reinsch, Cayla Rosche, Cierra Feltis, Melody Rosche, Trevor Coffman, and Malcolm Coffman; great-grandchildren, Nora, Ellie, Allie, Sophie, Wyatt, Nova, and Theo; bonus grandchildren, Bevan, Morgana, and Zane; and her beloved dog, Wally.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Jack and Bill; and her husband, James Rosche.
We will miss her so much. She found joy in everyday things - a bird's song, wildlife, a pretty sunset, and was a fierce lover of trees.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Cedar Valley Humane Society in her honor: https://www.cvhumane.org/memorial-donations