Rose A. Burnett

Obituary for Rose Aliene McCaulley Burnett

Born at home in rural Sac County, Iowa on April 21, 1930 to Hazel Irene (Rubendall) and John Albert McCaulley, Rose was the first of two children and the only daughter. She attended country schools through the 8th grade, graduating from Sac City High School in 1948.

Rose was married to Richard LaVerne Burnett on January 30th 1949 in Sac City, Iowa. They made a home on a family farm in Lytton, Iowa for a few years, where they were members of the Presbyterian Church. A daughter, Kathleen Susan was born in 1951, followed by a son, Alan Lee in 1954 and a second son, Randal Dean in 1956. She and Dick gave up farm life in 1957 and eventually made their way to Des Moines. Another son, Kevin Douglas died in childbirth in 1959 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Rose worked as a stay-at-home mom, raising 3 children, serving as a cub scout den mother, assistant soft ball coach, scorekeeper for Little League and participating in her children’s activities in a myriad of other ways. She was very creative, making ceramics, painting in oils, sewing clothing, often from her own designs, crocheting afghans, raising gardens and making quilts. She and Dick enjoyed being grandparents and were a constant presence in their grandchildren’s lives and in their activities.

In 1987 she and Dick moved to New Virginia, Iowa where they lived on 40 acres. They were able to return to their agricultural roots, enjoying a large garden and raising animals. Rose expanded her doll collection and enjoyed observing nature from her window, particularly birds, deer and geese. She was Richard’s caretaker for an illness of more than a year. After he died, she continued living on the acreage, making many friends, joining the Methodist church and several clubs. In 1995, she became a great grandparent for the first time.

At the urging of her children, she moved back to Des Moines in 1999. She joined Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Church, made many friends at church and in her neighborhood.

In 2021, Rose decided to move to an assisted living facility on the south side of Des Moines where a good friend was already in residence. She enjoyed “retirement”, as she called it, and made many more friends.

Rose is survived by her children, Kathy (Larry) Smith, Alan (Mary), Randy (Deb), 8 grandchildren, Troy and Loren Smith, Amie, Jenny (Dave) Kitner and Jeanna Burnett, Tawnia (Bobby) Beerbower and Justin (Cori) Burnett, and Elisha Burk-Rummans, 22 great grandchildren, several great- great grandchildren and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her son, Kevin, her brother, Wilbur Dale McCaulley and her husband, Richard.

Family will be greeting friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home; 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 10:00 a.m. Rose will be laid to rest at Cedar Cemetery, 240th Street, Lytton, Iowa 50561.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to PBS Television or Habitat For Humanity in honor of Rose.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.

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