Obituary of Rose Marie Duke
Rose Marie Duke aka “Mama Duke” (86) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at her home on September 25, 2023, with her loving family by her side. She was born to William and Betty Netherton on July 17, 1937, in Ventura, CA. Rose grew up along the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts. She attended school in Elmira, OR where she met the love of her life Ken Duke when she was in Junior High School. Rose graduated from Elmira High School with the class of 1955.
Following graduation, she married Ken on July 30, 1955 in Eugene, OR. The couple started a family right away and made their home in Veneta, OR. For the most part Rose was a homemaker, but she did work part time at The Country Store while Ken worked in the logging industry. The logging operations for International Paper closed where the Duke family lived and worked, so they joined 7 other families who decided to relocate to St. Maries, ID in search of work, specifically Henry Sindt Logging. Rose held several jobs throughout St. Maries. Her most memorable were Safeway and Mosley’s IGA as a meat wrapper, Boyd’s Furniture, Mikes Drug, and the Handi Corner where she was well known for her famous potato salad.
Sadly, Ken died in 1995 and Rose moved to Castle Rock to be closer to her siblings. She spent 12 years there before returning to St. Maries. When she and Ken were younger, they were members of the Eagles Lodge, and they enjoyed bowling in league and Friday night mixers with Ed and Sherry Titus. Later in life, she loved being out on the golf course with Sherry, the two were always a hoot together. Rose liked Baby Yoda, Tweedy Bird, and has an impressive collection of over 200 angels. She also enjoyed watching cooking shows, The View, and Judge Judy, and was invested in the life of Kelly Clarkston and followed her through tabloids and tv. Although she had a big family and loved them with her whole heart, being a sibling of 10 kids and having 6 of her own, she thoroughly enjoyed her alone time and took advantage of it as much as she could when she was older.
Rose is survived by her children Rick (Renee) Duke, Kenny Duke, Brad (Nita) Duke, and Tim (Karina) Duke all of St. Maries, ID, Greg Duke of Sun River, MT, and DeAnna (Russ) Spray of Fernwood, ID; siblings Nancy, Sharon, Kathy, Susan, and Becky; 17 grandchildren and too fricking many greats and great-greats to count; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Ken Duke; siblings Linda, Inez, David, and Scott; and grandson Jonathan Bedwell.
At Rose’s request there will be no services.
