Bruce Rose 1947-2025
Bruce Evans Rose of Junction City passed away on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at home.
He was born on Aug. 2, 1947, to Malcolm E. “Jack” Rose and Doris Elizabeth (Highfill) Rose at the Holton Hospital in Holton. He lived in Holton his entire childhood until his high school graduation in 1966. He spent a lot of his childhood at the Holton Swimming Pool, which was managed by his father. He worked there throughout his early life and taught many children in the Holton area how to swim through the Red Cross Swim program. He was also a very active scouter starting as a cub and reaching his Eagle Scout Status. He was a delegate to the International Ramboree in Darby, England, in 1965.
He joined the National Guard in 1966 in Manhattan and was sent to Fort Ord, Calif., in 1967 for combat training. He also served in the Army Reserve until his discharge in 1972. He was proud to be a part of the Honor Guard at the funeral of Dwight D. Eisenhower in Abilene.
Bruce attended Kansas State University and was a member of Delta Chi fraternity. He attended for a year then went to military training in California. After returning he attended Emporia State University for a semester, then returned to Kansas State University to complete his degree in 1971.
On Aug. 4, 1968, he and Carolyn Klahr were married in Holton. To their union, their daughter, Lisa Elizabeth, was born. Carolyn and Bruce celebrated their 57th anniversary before his death.
After his graduation in May 1971, Bruce accepted a position with the Kaw Council Boy Scouts of America in Kansas City. He served as a Boy Scout Professional and Explorer Scout Professional until his resignation in August of 1974 to pursue the purchase of a business. Bruce and Carolyn purchased West Acres Greenhouse and Floral in Junction City. He operated and managed the greenhouse and landscaping part of the business until its sale in 2000.
His last career change took place in 2001 when he became the horticulture instructor at the Women’s Correctional Facility in Topeka. During his tenure there he added two new greenhouses to the facility and conducted classes in horticulture and plant growing. He and his staff planted all the floral plantings each spring for the capital, statehouse and governor’s mansion. He retired in 2013.
Bruce loved traveling with his family, gardening, landscaping and spending time outdoors and collecting Western memorabilia. He hunted with great friends every year for more than 45 years and hosted many weekend hunts from their home. He also loved fishing trips to Red Lake, Canada, with Carolyn and friends and the fly-in fishing with his pals to remote lakes in Canada. One of the highlights of his life was spending a week on the USS Constellation with his nephew and father as the ship came into port in Hawaii.
After retirement he spent many hours as a volunteer for Wheels of Hope, Geary County Food Pantry and Eagle Scout Review boards. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Junction City for more than 50 years and a past member of Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and 101 Ranch Collectors Association.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter Lisa Rose-Michalski and husband Mark, Wichita; grandchildren, Aden Michalski, Bastrop, Texas, and Maya Michalski, New York City; a sister, Leah Cornelssen, Goodyear, Ariz.; and many loving nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
His remains will be cremated. An informal celebration of life for Bruce to share your special memories with family and friends will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Bobo Room at First United Methodist Church, located at 804 N. Jefferson St, Junction City, KS 66441.
Memorial contributions are requested to be made to the Geary County Food Pantry/Wheels of Hope Junction City or to the First United Methodist Church of Junction City.
Online condolences may be made at jmhcares.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
