Carolyn R. Rose

Carolyn Ruth (Klahr) Rose of Junction City, Kansas passed away on July 1, 2026 at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born on September 27, 1947 to Arnold F. Klahr and Ruth “Elizabeth (Hawks) Klahr at the Horton Hospital, Horton, Kansas.

She moved with her parents at 2 months old to a farm SW of Holton and resided there until her High School graduation in 1965. She attended Lower Banner School a one room schoolhouse which had also been attended by her grandmother Esther (Bohannon) Hawks. She was a graduate of Kansas State University with later advanced floral training from Floral Technology and Design in Overland Park, Kansas.

She married the love of her life, Bruce Rose, on August 4, 1968 in Holton, Kansas. The welcomed a daughter, Lisa Elizabeth Rose, in 1969. Carolyn and Bruce celebrated their 57th anniversary before his death on October 6, 2025.

She was a long term substitute teacher after receiving her degree from Kansas State University for about one year. In 1971 she moved with her husband to Overland Park/Merriam, Kansas. In August of 1974, she and Bruce purchased West Acres Greenhouse in Junction City. They owned and operated the business until it’s sale in 2000. She then worked at the Kansas State Union Bookstore until 2013 as a buyer and manager.

Carolyn loved to travel. Her most memorable trips were to Russia, Galapagos and everywhere they took their grandchildren. Her lifelong passion was floral design. She owned and managed 5 stores in Kansas and Missouri and especially loved judging, teaching floral courses and working with people in their time of need. She was honored to do the design work for the White House in this area and to serve the military community.

She was a lifelong volunteer especially after her retirement in 2013 working with Wheels of Hope and the Geary Co. Food Pantry, Blood Mobile, as well as at risk teenage girls in the community through mentoring.

She was a 50+ member of the United Methodist Church of Junction City and past member of many floral organizations, Pilot Club, Ladies Reading Club and P.E.O.

She is survived by her daughter Lisa Rose-Michalski and husband Mark, Wichita, KS. Grandchildren: Aden Michalski, Garden City, KS and Maya Michalski, New York City. Brother: Duane Klahr and wife Cheryl Klahr, Holton, KS. Sister in Law: Leah Cornelssen, Goodyear, AZ as well as many loving nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Rose and her parents Elizabeth and Arnold Klahr.

Her remains will be cremated. A memorial/celebration of life service will be held in the Bobo Room at 1st United Methodist Church of Junction City on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions are requested to be made to the Geary County Food Pantry/Wheels of Hope Junction City, or to the 1st United Methodist Church of Junction City, KS.