Rose Marie (Sayer) Landis

Rose (Rosie) Marie Landis, 86, passed away on October 18, 2023, at the Pickering House in Lancaster, OH with three of her granddaughters at her side. She was born in Henderson, West Virginia on February 5, 1937, the only child of Robert Sayre and Dorothy Withers.

Rosie's father passed when she was five. Her path took her to Columbus and eventually Baltimore, Ohio and Liberty Union High School. There she became a young lady, a cheerleader, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. In the classic scenario, she married the football player, becoming the farm wife of David W. Landis, the love of her life, in 1954. Starting in 1955 she bore the first farmhand and by 1958, the third and final young farmer. She herself soon became a farmhand helper, nurturing cows, calves, and kids. It was quite a juggling act for someone who had just turned 20.

She was always ready and willing to pitch in or nurture. She read her boys to sleep on many a night while Dave worked in the fields. Mornings started early with eggnog for all and a quick trip through the pasture, bringing in cows for the morning milking. She had many talents, whether it was helping prepare a harvest dinner with her mother-in-law Del and delivering it to the field to feed a baling or harvest crew, baking, or cake decorating.

She was a first responder before we knew what that was. Able to calm a child, fix a scraped knee, or injury; she administered advise on getting along with siblings and others, along with the dos and don’ts of living an honorable life. Sitting in the kitchen as she worked, you learned how to cook without even realizing it. She explained every step and process as she made a meal. In the end, you knew how it was done. She dispensed daily love and wisdom to multiple grandkids, nieces, and nephews and every life she touched.

Rose is survived by her husband of 68 years David Landis and three sons,  David Jr. and wife Marlene, James and wife Tammy, and Thomas and wife Laura. Grandchildren David Landis III, Katie (Gus) Jerew, Robert (Kendra) Landis, Lesley (Rick) Landis, Charlie (Beth) Landis, Holly Landis, Betsy Landis, Jimmy Landis, and JoDel Landis; great grandchildren Will, Whitley, Kaelyn, Robert Paul, Katara, Jimmy, Jon, Haleigh, Sarah, Josiah, Jake, and Jaxon. Rosie also had a special kitty companion named Chewy.

She was preceded in death by her father Robert Sayre, mother Dorothy Withers Lamb, step-father Ross Lamb, father and mother-in-law James and Del Landis, half-sister Mary Ruth Smith, and  granddaughter Jamey Landis.

She was a member of New Zion United Methodist Church and she enjoyed her bible study group there.

The family would like to thank her caregivers Julia Anthony,  Angie Riffle, and Karen Talamantes for their loving care and dedication and Pickering House for easing her passing.

Caring Cremation has taken place through the Johnson-Smith Funeral Home. A private graveside service will take place at a later date at Union Evangelical Cemetery.  Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com