Rose Marie Capen

     Rose Marie Capen, age 83, of St. Louis, MI formerly of North Star, MI, passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Woodland Hospice House, Mt. Pleasant, MI.
     A Memorial Service will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes Ithaca, MI, at 12:00 P.M. on Friday, January 9, 2026. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Friday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Rose was born in Rosebush, Michigan on January 31, 1942, the daughter of William Anthony and Aletha Margaret (Berg) Dole.
     She devoted her life to caring for others, both within our family and far beyond it. For many years she provided compassionate in-home care to elderly individuals, offering not just practical support but genuine companionship and dignity. Even after retiring, she remained a quiet, steadfast presence for relatives, friends, and neighbors who needed someone to check in, listen, or simply sit with them. Her kindness was never loud but always felt. And for many, her care was delivered not just through her time and attention, but through the special baked treats she loved to make—cookies left on doorsteps, pies brought to gatherings, and warm bread shared during difficult times. Her life was a testament to the power of simple, consistent care, and the warmth she shared, in every sense, will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
     She is survived by her five children: Willis R. “Bob” Capen, Jr., of Grovertown, IN; Douglas and Sue Capen of North Star, MI; Scott and Laura Capen of Alma, MI; Paul and Sandy Capen of St. Louis, MI; and Kelly and Darren Thompson of Alma, MI. Rose dearly loved and was extremely proud of all 16 of her grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way and one great-great grandson. She is also survived by her siblings: Bruce Dole, Joanne Dana, Phillip Dole, Linda and Bob Crivac and sisters-in-law Donna Dole and Gloria Dole. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willis, 4 brothers: Gerald Dole, Edward Dole, Steve Dole and Glenn Dole.
     Memorials may be made to the Ithaca Senior Activity Building or Gratiot County Commission on Aging. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.