Roseanna M. Karbacka, 79, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at her home.
A Memorial Mass celebrating her life will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield with Fr. Ross Epping as celebrant and Fr. Nick Adam con-celebrating. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fairfield Community Center or The African Violet Foundation.
Rose was born on February 15, 1947, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Cornelius and Viola (Hoppes) Brennan. At the age of 12, her family moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, where she graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1965.
Rose married Raymond Karbacka on July 20, 1968. In 1979, they moved to Fairfield, Iowa, when Ray was transferred for work. They planned to stay only a few years. Forty-seven years and ten grandchildren later, they were still here. I guess the corn grew on her.
Rose raised four children—Greg, Steve, Tim, and her only daughter, Christi. When Christi started school, so did Rose. Nursing had finally called the last Brennan daughter into service.
She earned her nursing degree from Indian Hills Community College in 1986 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1988. “Once a nurse, always a nurse” described Rose perfectly. Even while on hospice, she was telling everyone how to do their job—especially her sisters.
Rose worked as a medical-surgical nurse, a hospice nurse, and eventually found her true calling in nursing education. She taught clinical nursing at Indian Hills Community College. She was known for being strict and took no nonsense from anyone. Her students loved her—and were just a little afraid of her.
Rose is survived by her husband, Ray; her children: Gregory (Cheri), parents of Jacob and Leah Karbacka; Dr. Stephen (Patricia), parents of Flynn and Jameson Karbacka; daughter-in-law Joke Vijakhanna, mother of Sahara, Lincoln, and Stella; son Timothy and grandson Joshua Haegert; and Christina Welsh (Terrell), parents of Gareth (Katie) and Viola Rose Welsh.
She is also survived by her sisters, E. Mary Johnson of Macedonia, Ohio, and LeAnne Jarmolowicz (Richard) of Wattsburg, Pennsylvania; her sister-in-law, Shareen Linton (Dr. John Linton); 11 nieces and nephews; 26 great-nieces and great-nephews; and the Allen family, whom she affectionately called her “Iowa family”—especially Patty, her “sister from another mister.”
Rose was welcomed into heaven by her parents; her sister, Gayle Quam; her brother, Patrick Brennan; her brother-in-law, Tom Johnson; her nephew, Bradford D. White; her niece, Annie Brennan Mahon; and her beloved granddaughter, Grace Eileen Karbacka.
In her final eight days, Rose was surrounded by an extraordinary outpouring of love. Family and dear friends traveled from near and far to spend time with her, sharing stories, prayers, laughter, tears, and their final goodbyes. Rose loved that she was able to be present for what she affectionately called her own Irish wake — a true celebration of her life
True to the way she lived, Rose remained in charge until the very end. She was not afraid of death and faced it with the same strength, faith, and determination that guided her throughout her life. Surrounded by those she loved most, she left this world exactly as she had hoped—with peace, dignity, and love.
Her sisters, Mary and LeAnne, along with Patty Allen, cared for her with remarkable devotion, tenderness, and grace. They remained faithfully by her side, ensuring she was comfortable and surrounded by love every step of the way.
While we mourn the loss of her physical presence, we rejoice in the certainty that she is whole again, reunited with those who went before her, and at peace in the presence of God. We take comfort in knowing that, for Rose, her final breath on earth became her first breath in heaven.
Online condolences may be made to family by viewing her obituary at www.Behnerfh.com.
