Rose Marie Moll Gottsponer

Rose Marie Moll Gottsponer, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, formerly of Morrilton, who was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, in-law, and friend, passed on to her Heavenly reward on December 1, 2102. The second of six children, she was born in Morrilton, Arkansas, on March 4, 1925, to Will and Ethel Moll. Growing up on Seminary Ridge, she helped on the family farm and always remembered hoeing and picking cotton. Other good times, such as making homemade ice cream and "stealing" watermelons, became favorite family stories. She graduated from eighth grade at Sacred Heart School, when an eighth grade education was at least equivalent to a high school diploma. She worked at a local bakery and during World War II, she worked at the cotton mill. She met her future husband, Oscar Gottsponer, during a baseball game out in the pasture. When he returned home, he stated that he was never going to play with "those" girls from Seminary Ridge again because they played too rough. Over time, his opinion of "those" girls changed. He and Rose Marie were married on April 30, 1946, at Sacred Heart Church, after Oscar's discharge from the Army-Air Corps following World War II. While Oscar and Rose Marie would have loved to continue living in Morrilton, jobs were hard to come by and economics forced a moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they made a good life and raised their four children. They valued education highly and made sure their four children obtained college degrees. Faith, family, friends, and food were her guiding lights. A life-long member of the Roman Catholic Church, she prayed the rosary daily for all in need and was a long-time member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary prayer group. She was active in the Holy Cross School and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School and helped with the reading and religious education studies of older students. She loved meeting former students and remembered so much about each one. An extremely talented cook and baker (who could forget her doughnuts, rolls, and pies?), one of her frequent questions was "Are you hungry?" After moving to Las Cruces in the late 1940's, she learned how to make the very best enchilada sauce and chilirellenos. You definitely never went away hungry from her home! Many NMSU students benefitted from her meals. She will be remembered and loved forever by many, especially her children and their spouses, Dianne (Darrel), Gary (Chella), Rick (Julie), Ron (Nadine) and grandchildren, Dawn, Deanna (Dave), Kristi, and Ty. She is also survived by many friends and relatives, including her siblings, Margaret Lanni, and Henry (Lou) and Harold (Mary Ruth) Moll, many of her treasured Gottsponer in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by many loved ones including her husband, Oscar, and her siblings, Virginia and Joseph. We know that she will be happy to be reunited with her beloved friends and family who are welcoming her to Heaven. While all of the family has tried to do their best for Mom during her time of failing health, we especially want to thank Gary, Chella, and Kristi for their excellent care of Mom. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 11, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends at 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 10, at the funeral home with a Rosary following at 7:00 p.m.

Rose Marie Moll Gottsponer

March 4, 1925 - December 1, 2012