Rosemarie Berry

Rosemarie was born at the family home in Beaver, Oklahoma on November 19, 1930.  Her parents were Warren and Alice Ann Christine (Sandburg) Shockley.    Rosemarie was the granddaughter of immigrants from Sweden.  As a young lady, she spent time in the summer at her grandmother’s in Lindsborg, Kansas.  Rosemarie was the oldest of the three sisters—Avis and Roberta.  Many good times were celebrated in their young years as well as older years together.  Rosemarie thought very highly of her mother.  Laughter and love filled their home. 

Beaver Schools was the location for Rosemarie’s education.  Rosemarie graduated from Beaver High School with the Class of 1949. During high school, she belonged to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls organization.  Rosemarie had an evening and week-end job at the drug store as well as other odd jobs during high school.  After graduation, she worked at the Beaver County Clerk’s office until her marriage. 

In 1952, Rosemarie, a Beaver girl, met the love of her life, a Laverne boy, who was finishing a U.S. Army tour of duty as a medic.  Harold D. Berry and Rosemarie Shockley were united in marriage on January 21, 1953, in Clayton, New Mexico.  They made their home in Laverne.  Four children were born to this union:   a daughter--Linda Lee, and three sons—Chris D., Steven Harold, and Michael J.  A college education and a strong work ethic were very important to Harold D. and Rosemarie.  They were extremely proud that all of their children, grandchild, and great grandchildren were college graduates. 

As a family, Harold D., Rosemarie, and sons were in the plumbing, electrician, carpenter, and construction business as well as remodeling homes in Laverne.  Harold D. and Rosemarie built their own home in Laverne, and Rosemarie lived there until her death.  Farming and ranching became a love for the two of them.  An occasional farm sale was also attended by Harold D. and Rosemarie as well as their sons.  As a homemaker, Rosemarie was busy maintaining a home, cooking meals, “chasing” kids, Cub Scouts den mother, and working at the Fruit of the Loom factory in Woodward.  She shared many a laugh with her carpool buddies driving back and forth from work. 

Throughout their lives, Harold D. and Rosemarie loved taking “road trips” through the countryside.  One of their favorite places was the “forty” because it was so peaceful and quiet.      Even though they enjoyed the “road trips”, they always found time to help with their granddaughter, Sharee’, and later with the great grandchildren.  And, of course, there were road trips and refreshments included!

Rosemarie’s husband, Harold D., passed away in May 26, 1994, at the Woodward Hospital and Health Center from Parkinson’s Disease.  Rosemarie’s “road trips” continued though with her sons and daughter and son-in-law.  It might be a Saturday day trip, a Sunday afternoon ride around, going to watch the granddaughter, great grandkids, and/or great-great grandkids, just chasing after tractor and combine parts, or just to get out of the house.  She was always ready to go and see the countryside.  Rosemarie knew where the best places to eat were located—of course, there was food and dessert!  She also knew where everybody lived while traveling the countryside.

Rosemarie’s hobbies included cooking—for example ham loaf, angel food cake and strawberries, Mexican casserole, scalloped potatoes, chocolate sheet cake, and cinnamon rolls, reading, riding the stationery bike, watching the soaps, reading her devotionals, and visiting in person or on the phone with family and friends.    Rosemarie was a member of the Laverne United Methodist Church, the Red Hat Society, and UMW/Women of Faith.  She enjoyed the UMW meetings and fellowship as well as cooking for funeral dinners, bazaars, and other activities.  Rosemarie was very proud to be a five generation family.  She supported and cared deeply for her family members.  Rosemarie believed in education.  She loved Jesus!

Rosemarie (Shockley) Berry, age 94, of Laverne, Oklahoma passed quietly on the evening of Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck, Oklahoma.    She was proceeded in death by her husband, Harold D. Berry; her mother, Alice Shockley; her sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Dee Edwards; her brother-in-law Benny Kerns; two nephews, Danny and Bobby Kerns, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Virginia and Bill Peetoom. 

Rosemarie is survived by her sister, Avis Kerns of Spearman, Texas, one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Lonnie Miner of Laverne; three sons, Chris Berry of Beaver, Steve Berry of Mooreland, and Mike Berry of Laverne; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Sharee’ and Craig Madsen of Carmen; a grandson, Brandon Varnell of Burt, Iowa,; great granddaughter and great grandson-in law, Blake and Adrian Davila of Junction City, Kansas, great grandson and great granddaughter-in-law, Lane and Ally Madsen of Dubuque, Iowa, and great-grandson, Cade Madsen of Alva, Oklahoma; and two great-great grandsons, Jesus Davila and Even Chavez-Zamora, nieces and nephews—Brenda Johnson of Laverne, Tracy Edwards of Highland Park, Texas, Roy Russell of Highland Park, Texas, Kelly and David Wauters of Midlothian, Texas, Sue Ann and Doug Schoenhals of Shattuck and Bill and Ann Peetoom of Shattuck, along with a host of great nieces and nephews and many friends.