Rosemary Dreher, 85 of Akron, passed away on August 11, 2023 at the Washington County Nursing Home.  Rosemary was born in Iliff, Colorado, on April 7, 1938, to Pete and Anna Mollendor. She was one of ten children. When she was a young girl, the family managed a farm in the Iliff area. She had fond memories of fishing with her mother at Jumbo Reservoir.

Rosemary worked several odd jobs throughout the years, including baking for Odell's Supermarket, but for most of her life, she was a homemaker while raising her seven children and helping care for her grandchildren.

On July 23, 1955, Rosemary married Edward Joseph Dreher, and together they had seven children: Rosemarie (Taylor) Elder of Brighton, Sheryl (Randy) Smith of Akron, Edward (Jill) Dreher of Akron, William (Peggy) Dreher of Torrington, Wyoming, Wayne (Peggy) Dreher of Akron, Kimberly (Gary) Guy of Akron, and Wesley (Jill) Dreher of Sterling. Ed and Rose moved their family to Akron in 1975, where they lived in the Shepard Hotel while Ed and the family built a brick home on acreage three miles outside Akron, Colorado. The most significant additions over time were a barn for animals and a garage. The garage was often used as a space for family gatherings because they had 16 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, and friends were always welcome, too.

Rosemary will be remembered for her religious faith and her passion to protect unborn children in the pro-life movement. Her charitable contributions to religious, humane, and political causes were numerous throughout her life. She was very active in her local parish, St. Joseph's. She attended and volunteered for many church events, including many prayer and Altar & Rosary events. One of the highlights of her volunteer service was sponsoring the church youth group and witnessing the live speeches of two present-day saints: Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Denver, which included camping in the open air on the grassy hillside, and Mother Teresa at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies. In order to fund the youths' trips, Rosemary participated in fundraisers that included directing the cooking of dozens upon dozens of her homemade cabbage pockets for the youth to sell.

Rosemary was extremely hospitable, and she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was not afraid to call friends and family to tell them to come for a meal, drink, or visit, and no one ever left her house hungry. Most of the time cards were played. She liked pitch, tripoly, and especially head & foot.  Another favorite pastime was attending polka dances, although she was just as happy to put on some polka music and dance around the kitchen with anybody who would join the fun.

Rosemary spent the last three years in the Washington County Nursing Home where she enjoyed frequent visits from, and outings with, her family and friends. Her family will be forever grateful for the loving care that she received from nursing home staff.

A Rosary service will be held Friday, August 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Akron, CO. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10:00 am. also at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with interment to follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center of Northeast Colorado (Brush, CO) or St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Akron.