Rose Riley Wolfhope, 85, of Franklin, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Via Christi Village.
She was born Jan. 28, 1940, at Litchfield, Kansas to Ed and Kate (Savage) Riley. Rose was the last of nine children, preceded in death by eight brothers. She attended elementary school at Midway, Kansas and Mindenmines, Missouri and graduated from Frontenac High School in May of 1957. After graduation, she worked at K.S.E.K. Radio Station in Pittsburg.
She married Jerry Bitner in Jan. 1958. They moved to Hawaii in 1962 and later divorced. Her career was a travel agent, and she received many awards for her work.
She met and married Donald Wolfhope in Hawaii. They moved to the LA area in 1990 and were there until his death in 2002. In California she was an executive secretary to a large real estate firm where she masterfully ran the day-to-day operations. In 2018, she moved to Franklin, Kansas, where she lived at the time of her death.
She was the steward of a large family that was geographically diverse. She was a beloved and full of fun Aunt to her nieces and nephews: Danny Riley of Indiana, Edward Riley of Arkansas, Mike Riley of Germany, Keith Riley of Florida, and Tron and Cotton Riley of Wyoming; and five nieces, Linda of Indiana, Denise of Tennessee, Marsha of Wyoming, Janell Allred of Franklin, and Janene Hudiburg of Pittsburg. Her laughter and kind spirit will be greatly missed by them and her great nieces/nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Kate, her husband Don, eight brothers, Joe, Milo, George, James (Kelly), Patrick, William (Bill), Charles and Everett (Buster); 6 nephews and 2 nieces; and her beloved dog, Boomer.
A graveside memorial service will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday June 10, 2025, at the Ft. Scott National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest by her husband, Donald. The family suggests donations be made to the SEK Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
