Rose (Rosie) Lyons Wiley, flanked by both of her sons, died peacefully on December 18, 2025 after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

The family will greet friends and relatives from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Temple Hill, Iowa, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.

Rosie was born in Dubuque, Iowa on July 21, 1943, the daughter of Mary and Lester Lyons. She was the sixth child of a sprawling Irish clan of ten children.  She was raised in the Temple Hill area. Her childhood years included living with a grandmother and great aunt in a bustling farmhouse that was never boring. She went through the first eight grades in the three-room St. Peter’s school. She was the last graduating class of St. Martin High School. She went on to join and leave the Franciscan order and eventually graduated from Mercy College in Cedar Rapids with a teaching degree.

Rosie went on to marry Jim Wiley who preceded her in death. She raised two sons, Scott (Eunsook), and Steve (Jenny). She loved her sons unconditionally. She gave them everything and was their North star—always providing the needed presence and security so they could flourish. Her sons brought three grandchildren: Kellan, Hannah, and Francesca into her life to cherish and carry on her legacy.

Most of her teaching years were spent in the Chicago Catholic schools and St. Celestine. She poured her heart into teaching first graders, especially the teaching of reading. She loved children’s literature and believed firmly in reading aloud to her students and her own boys.

Rosie loved family gatherings and looking at family pictures. She was quick to laugh and her colorful ways brought smiles to all. Humility is a rare virtue these days. Rosie had it in spades. She had no hidden agenda. She put others before herself, always.

Above all, Rosie was brave. She learned that at the feet of her parents. She faced her disease with stoic courage, never complaining as Parkinson’s kept robbing her of more and more. She aged the way she lived—making the best at what life threw at her.

Rosie lived a full, beautiful life. She leaves us all better, and has earned her place among the great communion of Saints. Rest in peace, Rosie. We will love and miss you forever.

She is survived by two sons, Scott (Eunsook) Wiley of Chicago, IL and Steve (Jenny) Wiley of Wheaton, IL; three grandchildren, Kellan, Hannah, and Francesca Wiley; her siblings, Pat Lyons of Cascade, IA, Carol Stachura of Inverness, IL, Jean (Joe) Lynch of Cascade, IA, Kenny (Mary) Lyons of Monticello, IA; and one brother-in-law, Harvey Denlinger of Epworth, IA.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim Wiley in November of 1991; two sisters, Rosa (Fred) Crispo and Ellie Denlinger; three brothers, Richard Lyons, James (Pauline) Lyons and Loras Lyons; a sister-in-law, Betty Lyons, and a brother-in-law, Bill Stachura.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com