Rosalita V. Brass, 80, of Asbury, died Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center in Dubuque.

Visitation for Rosalita will be from 9:30 am until 11:15 am Friday, April 11, 2025 at First Baptist Church, 2143 Judson Drive in Dubuque.  The Funeral Service will follow at 11:30 am with Reverand Timothy Bees officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Wood Cemetery in Ackley, IA at a later date.

Rosalita was born December 17, 1944, in Iowa Falls, IA, the daughter of Robert and Gertrude Klooster Renken. She was the third of four children and grew up on the family farm near Wellsburg, IA.  Rose graduated from Wellsburg High School and Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls.  Her first full-time employment was at Parkersburg State Bank in Parkersburg, IA.

From a casual knowledge of each other at Ellsworth, to an opportunistic meeting in Ackley, she met Ronald Brass in 1966. There was a mutual attraction and they were married on December 17, 1967, at Aplington Baptist Church in Aplington, IA. They briefly resided in Falls Church, Virginia before Ron was deployed to Vietnam. Back together again, Rose and Ron moved to Ames, IA, so Ron could complete his education. Rose supported Ron with a position at University Bank in Ames.

In 1969, Rose and Ron relocated to Bettendorf, Iowa, where their daughter, Stacy, was born in 1971. Rose embraced life as a full-time mother, dedicating herself to helping family and friends, volunteering in the community, and developing her crafting skills. She was deeply devoted to Stacy’s schooling and activities, never missing a single event and always offering unwavering support. Her bond with loved ones was exceptional. She made it a priority to keep connections strong across generations, from cousins to nieces and nephews, and even their children. She brought everyone together through family picnics and special events-each one thoughtfully documented with photos and heartfelt write-ups, carefully placed into cherished albums.

She had an unwavering faith and was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Dubuque. Her love for children shone through her 25 years as a Sunday school teacher, and she also gave her time visiting elderly women in the church community. She generously shared her creativity, using her crafting talents to make banners for the church, as well as handmade gifts for family, friends and the children she loved. She had a special love for gardening-roses were her favorite, but she also enjoyed planting tulips and other spring flowers. An excellent baker, she was known for her delicious sugar cookies. She took pride in her home and had a wonderful circle of friends. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome and was someone who could engage anyone in a conversation.

Survivors include her husband, Ron; one daughter, Stacy Brass of West Des Moines, IA; one sister, Rosemary (Doug) Neymeyer of Ackley, IA; two brothers-in-law, Dale (Carlleen) Brass and Merlyn (Linda) Brass, both of Ackley, IA; and one sister-in-law, Marcia Renken of Iowa Falls, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter at birth in 1974, Jodi Lyn, one brother, Robert G. Renken, and one sister, Roberta (Harold) Aukes.

The American Diabetes Association and the ALS Association will be the favored charities for memorials received by the family.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Rose’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.