Lyla L. Rose

Lyla left this world, surrounded by the love of her family, and entered into eternal rest where she was reunited with her beloved husband, Clem.

Born on Nov. 11, 1931, in Marquette, she was the daughter of Stanley J. Bater and Edna (Showerman) Bater. Lyla grew up with a deep love of family, faith, and dear friends. Lyla attended Bishop Baraga High School and was a graduate of Northern Michigan University, both in Marquette.

Lyla married John “Jack” Channing in 1955, in Marquette, settling in Iron Mountain, where they raised their five children. In 1979, she married Clement “Clem” Rose in Marquette. Because of Clem’s work, they relocated to several places and eventually retired to Traverse City, Mich.

Her faith being the center of her life, Lyla was a devout, life-long, Catholic, who was formerly a member of Saint Peter Cathedral, and the Catholic Diocese in Marquette. She taught Catechism, and was a co-director of the Youth Choir at St. Mary and St. Joseph Church in Iron Mountain, and was instrumental, along with Louise Iverson, for bringing the Guitar Mass to the church on Saturday nights. Lyla also sang in the adult choir at St. Mary and St. Joseph Church.

A faithful Catholic, Christian, she prayed the Rosary daily, and kept family and friends in prayer, as she would often tell us. One of the highlights of her life was at the National Council of Catholic Women Convention in Minneapolis, where she met Mother Teresa. Her faith sustained her throughout all of her life, and she exemplified that, even in her last days.

Lyla was also a life-long lover of music and played several instruments, most notably, the piano, stand up bass, ukulele, and banjo. She also loved to sing, and passed that love of music and singing on to her children.

Lyla had a servant’s heart and a deep seated conviction to help those in need. A Certified Laubach Method teacher, Lyla’s “life’s work” was to teach English as a Second Language. Lyla would offer her time and education, helping people who needed to learn the English Language, either to assimilate as immigrants, or finish their education, and formed strong bonds with both individuals and families that she met and helped over the years.

The motto of Laubach was, “Each one, teach one,” and Lyla encouraged that, with the hope that more people would help others to learn the English Language. Always positive, friendly, and kind, Lyla made friends easily and was loved by many for her outgoing personality and ability to connect on a personal level with anyone she would meet.

Clem was her soulmate, and as she would say in later years, “it takes two, to make one.” After Clem’s retirement, she and Clem would winter in Florida, and summer at their home in Traverse City. Lyla moved to Marquette, in 2020, to be closer to family. Her most recent residence was at Evergreen Assisted Living, in Kingsford, where she was nearer to two of her daughters, allowing for daily visits and help in managing her medical care needs.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Michael) Berger of Marquette, David Channing of Ojai, Calif., Julie Alquist of Iron Mountain, Paula (Jon) Pryor of Iron Mountain, Michele (Don) DeShazo of Sunbury, Ohio; stepchildren, Walter (Brenda) Gildersleeve of Grand Rapids, Mich., Karla Siegwart of Sault Ste. Marie, Patricia (Steven) Nelson of Manistee, Mich., Christie (Jerry) Overland of Newberry, Melissa (Frederick) Killips of Sault Ste. Marie, Timothy Rose of Naubinway, Amy (Kurt) Perron of Brimley, and David (Krista) Rose of Escanaba; grandchildren, Brian (Lydia) Berger, Kimberly (Bill) Navarre, Benjamin Berger, Samara Berger, Jared Alquist, J. Miles (Erica) Alquist, Emily (Greg) Lundberg, Jeremy (Janine) Pryor, Courtney (Joe) LeMire, Sophia DeShazo, Olivia DeShazo, Abigail Rose DeShazo, Lianna Gildersleeve, Kenneth Gildersleeve, Joel (Sarah) Dykgraff, Walter Siegwart, Jill (Nelson) Bronson, Joshua Nelson, Kylee (Jeffrey) Lietzke, Gregory Overland, Calix Overland, Hunter Killips, Autumn Cora Rose, Timothy Rose II, Eva Perron, Isabelle Rose Perron, Willem Perron, Michael Rose, Christopher Clement Rose, Rebecca Rose, and Alison Rose, and a special great-grandson, Jordan Berger, as well as several other great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosalee Bater of Coldwater, Mich.; brother-in-law, Vernon (Ruthann) Johnson of Engadine; sister-in-law, Virginia “Dolly” (Charles) DeLong of Nashville, Mich. and several nieces, and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Clem; son-in-law Dr. Brian W. Alquist; stepson, Kevin Rose, and siblings, Stanley Bater Jr. (Helen), Arlene (John) Mitchell, Arvis June Bater, Roger Bater, and Leonard “Sonny Jim” (Phyllis) Bater.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Evergreen Assisted Living and the staff at Marquette County Medical Care Facility for their exceptional care.

A Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Lyla’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com.