Rosalie L. Brod Obituary (1918 - 2019)

Rosalie Brod, 100, of Overland Park, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Graveside services were held at Shaare Sholem Cemetery in St. Joseph on Friday, February 22. Rosalie, an only child, was born to Jack and Anna (nee Herman) Lazriowich on June 7, 1918 in Kansas City, MO. Soon thereafter the family relocated to St Joseph, MO where Rosalie was raised. During her youth she enjoyed dance and was frequently lauded as a very proficient tap dancer. An outstanding student, Rosalie graduated from Central High School in 1934 and turned 16 the following week. She attended St. Joseph Junior College for one year and then transferred to University of Kansas. After one year at KU, Rosalie transferred to University of Iowa where she graduated in 1939 from the School of Pharmacy. Rosalie practiced as a pharmacist throughout her adult life until her retirement in 1979. In 1941 Rosalie and some of her girlfriends traveled to Kansas City where she met her future husband, Alfred Brod and it was love at first sight. The two were married a few months later and moved to Fort Worth, TX where Alfred worked for Uhlmann Grain. Their first child, and only daughter, Lynne, was born in Fort Worth, followed by Milton in Leavenworth, KS during WWII, and then Herbert in Fort Worth after the war. In 1951 the family returned to St. Joseph where Alfred took over his father-in-law's used furniture and antiques business. After Alfred died in 1976 Rosalie remained in St Joseph until 1980 and then relocated to San Antonio, TX where her daughter and family had recently moved. Unwilling to just sit around, Rosalie became active in the community, taking adult education courses and joining Temple Beth El and the local Jewish Community Center. During the next twenty-five years Rosalie served in the position of President of the senior's group for the synagogue and also the same position for the JCC seniors group, where she received the “Charles Pearl” award for her significant volunteer efforts. At the suggestion of members of the local community, Rosalie became a committeewoman for the Democratic Party, helping to influence policy positions that involved the Jewish community. Not limiting herself to the Jewish community, Rosalie also volunteered in the hematology and oncology clinic at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB where she was honored as Volunteer of the Year for Wilford Hall MC. She also spent extensive time as a volunteer reader for students in the nearby elementary school, and served on the grants application task force for United Way, evaluating proposals designed to help senior citizens. Rosalie enjoyed reading, playing bridge and mah jong with her friends, attending musical theatre and dramatic plays, and helping with her grandchildren (Cheryl and Scott Potempa). Her hobbies included her stamp collection and her Wedgewood. She was an avid sports fan and was especially pleased when her San Antonio Spurs won several NBA championships. Rosalie was excited to celebrate her 100th birthday in June 2018, joined by friends and family and gorging on KC BBQ. No Passover was complete unless chopped liver was part of the menu. In 2008 Lynne and her late husband Ken began to travel extensively and Rosalie made her final move to Overland Park where her son Milton and his wife Natalie lived. Rosalie is survived by her daughter Lynne Potempa and significant other (Charles B. Hill, III), sons and daughters-in-law Herbert (Jerri Anne) and Milton (Natalie), four grandchildren (Cheryl, Scott, Joshua and Jeffrey) and five great-grandchildren (Andrew, Reece, Kyle, Asher and Rose). The family suggests that contributions could be made to Hadassah or The Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah, or a charity of one's choice. Rosalie was known for her quick wit and love of learning and she remains an inspiration for all.