Rose Irene (Flory) Spitler Lambert, 98, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away October 10, 2023. She was born on May 31, 1925 in Swanton, Ohio to Harmon and Matilda (Miller) Flory. At the age of 6, she lost her father, however, she and her four siblings farmed a small truck patch with their mother, who traveled to Toledo Market three days week to sell the fruits and vegetables of their labor. Life was not easy; however, Rose’s tenacity and positive spirit began in those small humble surroundings.
After he mother remarried, her spouse’s work took them to Pensacola, FL where Rose had to finish high school her senior year. After graduating from Pensacola High School, Rose returned to Ohio living with her sister and brother-in-law, Lou and Merle Lambert in Bowling Green. She worked as a waitress and it was in Bowling Green that she met her loving husband Norman D. Spitler. They were married on March 31, 1945 while Norm was home on leave from the U.S. Navy. When he returned from WWII, they settled in Bowling Green. Rose worked at Cain’s Potato Chip Company, and later as a stay-at-home mom, doing ironings for people and babysitting the children of many working mothers. Her husband, Norm, developed heart disease at an early age. Over the years Rose had to find more work as her husband’s health declined. She returned to work at Cain’s. Rose and Norm were able to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary before he passed away in 1971.
Rose had always wanted to be a nurse. So, with that same tenacity, positive spirit, and a fifteen-year-old daughter to finish raising, she entered the Bowling Green Area School of Practical Nursing in October , 1971. At the age of 49, that was not an easy accomplishment, however, she was elected class President and found herself giving the graduation speech one year later. After studying hard and passing her State Board exams with flying colors, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse, working at Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green. She worked as a LPN for 10 years.
Rose married Eugene E. Lambert on June 28, 1975. They were married for 10 years, living part of that time in Angola, IN. Rose returned to her home in BG in 1985 and was able to remain home for the remainder of her years. Her Catholic faith was very important to her. She attended weekly Mass until Covid made that impossible, and then in her elder years enjoyed watching the Sunday morning Mass on TV.
Rose loved gardening, crocheting, and mowing her lawn (with a beer afterward!) Most importantly was her love of life, family and friends. She was often referred to as “The Life of the Party!” Her nieces and nephews enjoy telling stories of her fun-loving antics.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents Harmon and Matilda Flory, her husband Norman Spitler, infant daughter, Ann Marie Spitler, siblings and their spouses Elizabeth (Ovid) Chamberlain, Lucille (Merle) Lambert, Anthon (Mary) Flory, and Alice (Ivan) Shroyer and 2nd husband Eugene E. Lambert.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Tina (Larry) Ponzi of Perrysburg, Ohio and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are Eugene’s children Robert, Bill, Jack, Darlene, Marlene and their spouses & families.
Visitation will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday October 17, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More University Parish, 425 Thurstin Ave. Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Father Jeff Walker will officiate. Interment will follow at Wood County Memory Gardens in Bowling Green. Additional visitation will be held Tuesday morning at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Thanks to Rose’s wonderful, loving caretakers Theresa, Linda, Alexis, Heather, Alex, Jackie and Baylee and to the nurses and doctors at Bridge Hospice Care Center at Wood County Hospital.
Donations may be made to Bridge Home Health and Hospice, Findlay, Ohio; St. Thomas More University Parish , Bowling Green, OH; The Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, OH or an organization of the donor’s choice.
