Rosemary Fleharty's Obituary
Rosemary Ann Fleharty passed away on November 16, 2025, at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO. She lost a courageous battle to cancer. She was only 74.
Rosemary is survived and missed by her loving husband Dean of 40 years; and her two step-children, Karrie Wood of Higginsville, and Todd (Jennifer) of Boonville. Forever cherished and remembered by her three grandchildren, Adam Dulaney, Kelcie Wood, Kristen, Ryan, and Makalaya (Jaylin) Willis as well as her great grand-children, Jasmin Wood, Addyson Huff, Paysley Fleharty, Winter Willis and Cameron Willis. She was preceded in death by her mother Annie Rieman, brother Arend Rieman, sisters Kurna Haan, and JoAnne Rieman of Allison, IA.
Rosemary spent a full life. She made a career of being an officer manager for three different universities. She started her career at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. After marrying her husband, she worked at the University of Central Missouri located in Warrensburg, MO. There she worked her way up to the position of assistant to the President of the University. She later took on another challenge and took a position at the University of Missouri- Columbia where she was the assistant to the Dean of Education.
Rosemary also had a love for raising her animals and her piano and organ. Rosemary helped her husband raise Dexter cattle. She was devoted to this so much that she became the Registrar for the Dexter Cattle Association and was the club’s president for over a decade. She also helped found a secondary Dexter Cattle Association and helped build that association from the ground floor.
Rosemary didn’t just like cattle. She also had a love for horses. Rosemary became a breeder of Fjord horses in the late 1990s. She became well known for her horses and even helped rescue several Fjords throughout her time with her horses. She devoted much of her time to her horses and everyone knew, Rosemary always put her horses above everything.
Rosemary also had a love for planning the piano and organ. She played for several churches over the years. Her last time being for a church in Boonville, the United Church of Christ. There she worked as the Church’s secretary during the week and on Sunday, you could find her playing the organ for the church.
Rosemary had many friends and touched many lives. Her loss will be felt by many.
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