Obituary of Rosalee Bekins
Rosalee Bekins (82) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away on February 24, 2024. She was born to Peter and Joyce (English) Gallagher on August 8, 1941, in St. Maries, ID. Rosie grew up in St. Maries and graduated St. Maries High School with the class of 1959. She married Ron Hamberger and had their son Ron Hamberger II; however, the marriage ended in divorce.
Rosie then met and married Ernie Horton Sr. He was in the military stationed all over the United States, so Rosie worked various jobs over the years. She worked for West Coast Airlines out of Spokane, the family moved to Moses Lake and then onto Sioux City, IA; there is where Ernie Horton Jr. was born, and she was able to stay home with her children and take care of the home. The family ended up in Post Falls, ID where her marriage to Ernie Sr. ended. She went to work for Y-J Foods, and then decided to try out Alaska. Rosie moved to Alaska spending time in Fairbanks and Valdez. This was an adventure that she loved. She worked for Westmark Hotel as a waitress and ended her career after several years as a cashier for Safeway. When she retired, she returned to St. Maries to be closer to family.
A generous person at heart, Rosie enjoyed spoiling and giving things to her family and friends. She enjoyed collecting teapots and thrift store shopping and often finding treasures that she knew someone would love to have. Rosie also loved the casino whether she was playing slot machines or going to BINGO and if she wasn’t there, you might find her at home drinking her coffee cheering on the Gonzaga Bulldogs. She will be sorely missed and remembered for being so kind to everyone, the kind that would give the shirt off her back to anyone.
Rosie is survived by her children Ernie (Yvonne) Horton Jr. of St. Maries, ID and Ron (Jill) Hamberger of Santa, ID; siblings Denny (Rita) Gallagher of Post Falls, ID and Cathy (Larry) Swinney of Oregon; 3 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, son Petey, sister Sally Asbury, and granddaughter Jenny Horton.
