Rose Zoll

Rose R. Zoll, 98, of New Albin, IA, peacefully passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Thornton Manor in Lansing, IA. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 11th, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Thursday at church. Condolences may be sent to the Zoll family at 1519 Pine Tree Drive, New Albin, IA 52160. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements.

Rose Rita Hammel Zoll was born June 30, 1927, in the farm home of her parents Louis and Mary (Thimmesch) Hammel. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Joseph Catholich Church in New Albin, IA. Rose had six siblings and growing up on her father’s farm during the Great Depression was challenging at times. They had crops to harvest and livestock to feed and she helped her grandfather with his bee hives and apple orchard. There was no electricity nor indoor plumbing; most times, they only got a piece of fruit at Christmas. Rose did not get to have a doll as a child, so as an adult, she bought and had an extensive artist doll collection. However, they had many fun opportunities to play and forage in the woods on the farm.

Rose and her siblings attended the same one-room school as her father. In 1940, she graduated from the school and then attended high school in New Albin and Lansing. She received her teaching certificate and at the age of 17 in 1944, she started teaching country school. While teaching, Rose continued her education and in 1970, received her master’s degree in elementary administration. Most of her career was spent in the Eastern Allamakee elementary schools. For two of those years, she was the elementary principal while still teaching full-time. Rose retired in 1992, after 48 years.

On April 22, 1947, Rose married Ray Zoll and they spent 48 wonderful years together. When they married, they moved to her father’s farm, which they rented from him and became a Century Farm. Two sons were born to them: Don and Bill. In December 1956, Ray and Rose purchased the farm and grew a variety of crops, mainly corn, and raised cattle and pigs. Over the years, a number of farm improvements were made and an addition was added onto the original house. They loved to have visitors, hosting numerous family and friends, and there seemed to be a rotating door on the driveway as nieces and nephews were always coming and going in the summer.

Rose was able to travel extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico; for several years, she wintered in southern Texas. She enjoyed going to church and out to eat, playing cards and bingo, puzzles, auctions, and having garage sales. A very generous person, Rose established the Hammel/Zoll scholarship and contributed to various non-profit organizations.

She is survived by her sons Don (Pat) Zoll and Bill (Chirapha Kongham) Zoll; grandson David (Karin) Zoll; granddaughters Kate Zoll and Kristy (Kevin) Walker; step-grandchildren Sophon and Supapon Ohjaroen; great-grandchildren: Hayden Zoll, Rhaivon Cleaves, Dominic Valdovinos, Maurice Kentrelle Skinner, and William Jayce Zoll; and one sister-in-law Mona Eggen.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband Ray; her parents; siblings: Gene Hammel, Lorraine Moericke, Leo Hammel, Stacia Kavon, Frank Hammel, and Mary Lou Blackmore; and many nieces and nephews.

Her family thanks Fr. Joseph Sevcik and Fr. Philip Agyei for their spiritual care and all of the staff at Thornton Manor for the care they gave Rose.

Rose, a beautiful name for a beautiful flower and a beautiful lady. May you rest peacefully in God’s arms.

Honorary casketbearers are the VFW Post 5603 Auxiliary. Casketbearers are Howard Kavon, Loren Voss, Doug Weymiller, and Les Colsch.