Rose Mayree Bridgeman Holcomb passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, in Hutchinson, at the age of 97. She was born on the family farm southwest of Abbyville on November 5, 1927, to Leonard Bridgeman and Edith (Ehling) Bridgeman.
A 1945 graduate of Abbyville High School, Rose completed two years of college at Hutchinson Junior College, followed by three years of training at Wesley School of Nursing in Wichita. Graduation took place on September 1, 1950, followed by her wedding to Glenn Theron Holcomb on September 2. With her parents sacrificing for her schooling, Rose chose to keep her wedding simple. Her sister, Charlyne, hosted the wedding at her home with the rest of her family making it a very special and memorable day for her. Here she began a new chapter of a very full and busy life, fulfilling the roles of farmer’s wife, mother, night-shift nurse, High School Sunday School teacher along with other functions in the church, and later a grandmother and great-grandmother. After working more than 35 years at Stafford Hospital, she retired but still stayed busier than she ever expected. Life was full. Yet somehow, in all her roles, she was never pulled in too many directions to live out each role to its fullest. And in all of this, what motivated her the most to serve wholeheartedly was her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rose was an active church member all her life, serving in various capacities, starting at Abbyville Methodist Church. Upon marriage, she and Theron were active in the Plevna Methodist Church, followed by the last few decades at the Plevna Community Bible Church.
In Rose’s 72nd year of marriage, Theron preceded her in death, passing away in 2023. She was also preceded by two of her sisters and their husbands, Charlyne (Warren) Wilt, Marjory (Reed) Garrett; her brother, Duane Bridgeman; and her brothers-in-law, Gordon Groth, Clifford “Pinky” Busick, and Ronald Haag.
She is survived by: her four sons, Kent (Virginia) Holcomb of Derby, Mark (Karla) Holcomb of Chicago, Gregg (Gail) Holcomb of Plevna, and Kyle (Wendy) Holcomb of Atlanta; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Milbry Haag; her sister and brother-in-law, Connie Busick Depew (Bill); and her sister-in-law, Helen Bridgeman.
A service to celebrate Rose’s life will be held at Plevna Community Bible Church, 110 W. 3rd., Ave., Plevna, Kansas, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. A slide show with highlights of her life will be shown before and after the service. Visitation will take place after the service.
In lieu of flowers and in accordance with Rose’s desire, memorials are suggested to Plevna Community Bible Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Gifts can be sent either directly to the church or to Elliott Mortuary.