Rosella Willems Noble

June 22, 1927 - October 11, 2024

Rosella was born June 22, 1927, to Jacob and Helena Willems in Madera, California.  She died peacefully on October 11, 2024, in Fresno, California. She was the thirteenth of fifteen children.

Early in Mom's life, the family moved to Reedley. As members of the Mennonite Brethren Congregation, the family joined many other Mennonite families in the area. They were a united community. Her mother's strong faith in God was shared with the children and was a centerpiece in the family.  Rosella came to know the Lord as her savior in her youth and on March 29, 1942, and was baptized in the Kings River along with sisters close in age.

During WWII years she saw her brothers bravely go off to war.  Older sisters Helen and Mary quit school in order to work to support the family.  The older girls did their part to support the war effort.

Rosella graduated from Dinuba High School in 1945.  In the years that followed she went to work in Visalia using her bookkeeping skills.  Oldest sister Helen was working in Selma at the time.  She would often stop in for lunch at Noble's Cafe where she became acquainted with a handsome soldier, Russ Noble, who worked there.  Helen mentioned to Russ that he should meet her sister.

Having served in Korea, Russ was then stationed at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, but was home on leave at the time.  After a whirlwind courtship, Rosella soon found herself on a train with sister Martha headed to Indiana to marry Russ.

Daughters Ginger and Kerry were born in the years that followed and Rosella prided herself in raising her girls and keeping a nice home for the family.  She and Russ were able to take several trips throughout the years, traveling to Bermuda, Spain, Hawaii and South Korea.

As her girls grew and married, Rosella helped care for her grandchildren and took great interest in their lives and activities.  Fond memories were made with backyard barbecues, swimming and holidays spent together.  They were a tremendous blessing to her.

As the years passed, the arrival of four great grandchildren brought her more joy.  She loved each one of them.

Rosella leaves behind two daughters, Ginger Barrett (husband Bill) of Fresno, and Kerry Siebert (husband Ron) of Clovis.  Four grandchildren Blake Barrett, Grant Barrett, Nichole Klein and Taylor Siebert and four great grandchildren Reese, Caleb, Owen and Ezekiel.

The family would like to thank the outstanding staff of Stonehaven Assisted Living for their loving care of our mother and the skilled and compassionate care of Aseracare Hospice.