Rose Marie Freelen Stanfield, 60 years old, died February 2, 2024 from ALS at her home in Hutchinson surrounded by loved ones.
She was born July 24, 1963 in Paris, TX, daughter of Shirley (McClain) and Johnny Meredith. Rose attended West Lamar School in Paris, TX. Teachers and childhood friends quickly loved her feisty tenacity and charming wit. It was these features and more that caught the eye of a rough handed oil field hand.
On June 15th, 1982 in Paris, Texas, Rose married Jack Stanfield, Sr. He survives. In their early years of their marriage, they traveled around the United States working the oil fields making many friends and countless memories. Casper Mountain in Wyoming was always her favorite place because of the most romantic and perfect 10 days spent here with Jack. This romance continued to grow and soon Jack Dean, Jr. was born in 1984. Three years later they welcomed their final son, John Wesley.
After putting down roots in Hutchinson in 1989, Rose attended Hutchinson Community College and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1994. She led a long career in many nursing settings including hospital, long-term care and pediatric home health. Other than her pride for family, Roses’ passion for her patients was unparalleled. Wesley Towers nursing home in Hutchinson, KS was her most tenured and enjoyed nursing job. Rose was known for her thorough, compassionate and exceptional care.
Whether you knew her as family, a patient or the person in front of her at the grocery store, Rose was open and loving with everyone. Her humor and bigger-than-Texas personality made her memorable from the first encounter. You always knew where you stood with Rose and loved her for it. Her nonjudgmental, upfront, warm, hilarious, southernly drawled nature continues to live on in her children and grandchildren.
Rose enjoyed spending time with her family, riding horses and mules, four-wheeling, and watching soap operas. She wouldn’t say no to some Popeye’s chicken or Furr’s when given the opportunity either.
Rose is survived by her husband of almost 42 years, Jack Stanfield Sr. of Hutchinson; sons, Dr. Jack “JD” Stanfield, DC and wife Carla of Hutchinson; John Rathman, RN and husband Dr. Brandyn Rathman, APRN, of Wichita; father, Johnny Meredith of Paris, TX; brothers, Joey Freelen, Jesse Freelen, Johnny Meredith and wife Lori, Wesley Meredith and wife Melanie all of Paris, Texas; sisters, Cynthia Meredith, Barbara Meredith, both of Paris, TX, Crystal (Meredith) and husband Bossie Fuller of Denton, TX; and her grandchildren, Jossalynne Rose “JoJo” and Jackson Carl Stanfield of Hutchinson.
She was preceded in death by her mother, sister Joni Freelen, and her grandparents Florence and Doyle Tucker (Mammy and Papaw).
A Celebration of Life will be held in Roses honor on Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at The Red Shed (6311 N. K61 Hwy, Hutchinson, KS 67501) from 5 PM - 10 PM. At 5:15 p.m., the Nurses Honor Guard of Wichita will present a brief presentation honoring Roses’ life as a dedicated nurse. Food and beverages will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rose Stanfield Memorial Fund (make checks payable to Elliott Mortuary). Some of the funds will be equally distributed to two organizations that helped Rose, the ALS Association and Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.