Rosemary Helen “Rosie” Crowder passed away from natural causes on January 13, 2023, at the Homer Senior Center in Homer, Alaska. She was born July 26, 1928, in Ketchikan, Alaska to Henry (Harry) and Helen ("Babe") Cowan. She homesteaded with her parents on Cowan’s island in Ketchikan and was a true Alaskan Pioneer. Rosie was the oldest of two children. She attended Ketchikan High School (Main School) where she met her husband, Robert "Bob" Crowder. They married in August 1946 and went on to have three children.

Rosie worked at various places in Ketchikan, such as The Bon Marche, Revilla Theater, Bob’s Towing, and Bob’s Body Shop. She was a self-taught bookkeeper and eventually she and Bob opened another business, Ridgewood Mobile Home Park & Sales. She volunteered for various Ketchikan events and activities, such as selling daffodils for the American Cancer Society and leading a Girl Scout troop. Rosie was also a member of the Moose Lodge, Beta Sigma Phi (Queen), and Pioneer Sisters Igloo #7. Rosie was also song queen for Ketchikan High School Polar Bears at the old Main School.

Rosie enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, knitting, playing cards, cooking, and especially gardening. Rosie was known in Ketchikan for her begonias that hung along the walkway and in front of the house. Many people commented on them and wanted to know how she got them to grow so big! Her green thumb extended to the yard with trees, rhododendron’s & various other flowers. The garden was her “happy place.”

Rosie always loved a good time, people, and hosting dinner parties in her home for her and Bob’s many friends. Her Sunday fried chicken was the best, and Rosie was in a Lynden chicken ad because it was the only brand she would cook! Her long-time good friend, Terry Gucker, said that when she and her family thought of “Cozy Rosie”, they immediately thought of “love”. Rosie has been described by other friends and people who encountered her as happy, a joy, a nice and wonderful lady, a sweetheart, an amazing woman, and a special and fun lady. It warms our hearts that people think of her so fondly.

Rosie did a lot of traveling with her husband and daughters to Hawaii, Mexico, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Europe, and many places within the U.S. Rosie loved her family, grandkids & great grandkids especially, and was extra happy when they came to visit her. In her later years, she remained very active by swimming, exercising, playing cards and bingo. She loved to go for car rides, especially if it meant going out to eat or getting a mocha latte coffee! When Rosie got excited about going places, or doing fun things, she would resoundingly say, “Hot Damn!” She and Bob even named their Bayliner sportfishing boat the “Hot Damn”.

Rosie is survived by her two daughters, Cathy Hook (Gary) of McMinnville, OR, and Jill Hockema (Matthew) of Homer, AK. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Blair Hook (Laurel) of Portland, OR, Hayley Hook (Matt Bertrand, Partner) of McMinnville, OR, Shannon Forsythe (Shawn) of Belgrade, MT, Robert Hockema of Anchorage, AK, Katarina Hockema, of Homer, AK, Selena Jackson (Scott) of Ketchikan, AK, and Marissa Brown (Justin) of Ketchikan, AK, as well as eight great-grandchildren, Eloise Hook of Portland, OR, Trinity and Taylor Jackson, of Ketchikan, AK, Raeleigh & Makenna Brown of Ketchikan, AK, Akasha Lyons of Bozeman, MT, Alexis Forsythe of Belgrade, MT, and Aurora Forsythe, of Helena, MT. She has three great-great- grandchildren of Bozeman, MT. She is also survived by her sister Sharron Cowan Goff (Jim) of Seattle, WA, Rosie is preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. "Bob" Crowder, Sr., her son, Robert C. “Bobby” Crowder, Jr., and her parents, Harry & Helen Cowan.

She will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Bob and son Bobby, at Bayview Cemetery in Ketchikan, Alaska. Honorary Pallbearers are Gary Hook, Matthew Hockema, Jim Goff, Blair Hook, Robert Hockema, Shawn Forsythe, Scott Jackson, & Justin Brown.

There will be a Celebration of Life on February 11, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Landing Hotel, Sunny Point Reception Room, 3434 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK 99901.

Donations in memory of Rosemary (“Rosie”) can be made to Hospice of Homer, 265 E. Pioneer Ave. #3, Homer, AK 99603 or Ketchikan Garden Club, c/o 15261 N. Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

We know our mom will be dancing in Heaven! We will love and miss our mom, sister, grandma & GG forever!