Rose Mary (Krueger) Newton, 85, daughter of Arnold and Juanita (Franks) Krueger, was born March 7, 1940, in Muscatine. She passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, surrounded by family at the Lone Tree Health Care Center.
Rose grew up in Letts on the family farm. She always made sure that you knew it was Letts and not Nichols. She recalled fond memories of playing basketball with her girlfriends and continued to watch Iowa Women's and Men's teams any chance she could. Rose also liked to tell stories of working at the Cheri Top in Muscatine.
Rose was united in marriage to William (Bill) Newton in 1956. They traveled to Kansas and Massachusetts while Bill served in the Air Force. They finally settled in Nichols to raise their four children. Rose started working for her father-in-law at Newt's Cafe and later owned and managed the cafe herself. After selling the cafe, Rose and her daughters managed the old West Liberty Country Club for one season. She then ran Ceramics and Gifts and Unique Creations in Nichols. She was instrumental in forming the Nichols Community Club and the Nichols Ladies Red Hat Club. After moving to West Liberty, she enjoyed getting together once a month with her Nichols girlfriends to stay caught up with each other.
Once retired from Unique Creations she was able to really get into her hobbies. For 11 years she and Bill enjoyed fishing in Texas—which provided many keepers for fish fries. Rose was an avid gardener and an accomplished seamstress which later turned into her last business which was "Sew Busy." She later joined the Women's Eastern Iowa League and was Ladies League President for eight years. During this time, she was successful in getting a Hole in One—before any of the rest of the Newtons!
Most family gatherings were centered around Rose's kitchen. There was always an abundance of food that guaranteed homemade chicken and noodles or potato salad. Once the clean-up crew completed their duties, Rose always wanted to end the night with a game or two. The rule breaker that she was, Rose decided we were going to gather during COVID to learn how to make her famous homemade chicken and noodles. Everyone was sent home with a personalized miniature rolling pin Christmas ornament! Rose insisted on Newton Family Reunions every July. New family shirts (always purple for her and Bill), sweet corn and watermelon from Krueger's Market, swimming in the pond, and lots of laughter ensued that would last her until we all gathered as a big group again at Christmas.
Being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was one of her greatest joys. She was always their biggest cheerleader and loved going to as many sporting, dance, and instrumental events as possible—both near and far.
Rose is survived by Bill, her husband of 69 years; daughters Debbie (Charles) Rock-well, Diann Newton; son Tony (Maria) Newton; and son-in-law Mike Mullink, eight grandchildren, Christy (Jeremy) Laabs, Justin (Brandi) Rockwell, Amy (Wes) Dorsam, Jennifer (Duane) Grimes, Mick (Liz Homuth) Mullink, Jessica (Trevor) Schneider, Austin Newton and Lake Newton; and 14 great-grandchildren; her sister Dora Hillyer (Bert Tobia); brother Earl (Pam) Krueger; step-brother Rich (Pat) Hepker, half-brothers Clifford and Randy Krueger; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather; in-laws; brother Arnold (Butch) Krueger; sister Delores Krueger; daughter Donna Mullink; grandson Ben-amin Mullink; nephew Scott Krueger; and several aunts and uncles.
A special thanks to the staff at Lone Tree Health Care Center and Moments Hospice Staff who went above and beyond to make her days comfortable.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the Lone Tree Health Care Center.
A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the West Liberty Community Center, 1204 N. Calhoun Street, West Liberty. A private family burial will be held in the Nichols Cemetery, Nichols. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is caring for Rose and her family.