Rose Kopf

A fighter to the end.

That's the only way to describe Rose Marie Kopf. She died Thursday, July 15, 2021, after battling breast cancer. She was 59.

Born in Lawrence, KS, Rose lived most of her life in her hometown until moving to St. Petersburg, FL in 2015. She is a graduate of Lawrence High School and the University of Kansas. Rose worked for Hallmark Cards, the Spencer Museum of Art, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She held various other jobs around Lawrence but was an artist above all else.

From textile design, fabric dying and screen printing to pottery hand building, body casting, and clay modeling, Rose was passionate about art. She had a unique and remarkable eye for fashion and could see the creative potential in any object. Rose was a free-spirited adventurer. She loved bike rides, shelling, beach hopping, boating, thrift store exploring, travel, concerts, festivals and so much more.

Friends and family will remember Rose for her creativity, her numerous art projects, her green eyes and blonde hair, her fighting spirit, her openness and friendliness to all people, and her overall joy for life.

Rose is survived by her husband Patrick Conroy, of St. Petersburg, FL; her children Kalem Kopf (Kevin Thompson), of New York, NY, Aleese Kopf, of West Palm Beach, FL, and Chase Kopf, of Lawrence, KS; stepdaughter Katlyn Conroy, of Lawrence, KS; siblings George Schmitendorf, III, Chester Schmitendorf and Sandra Cordill (Dean), of Ocala, FL, and Thomas Schmitendorf (Jennifer), of Lawrence, KS; nieces Rebecca Kramer (Bill) and Jessica Huston (Scott), of Topeka, KS; and nephews Dallas Schmitendorf and Kendall Schmitendorf, of Lawrence, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents Sheila and George Schmitendorf, of Lawrence, KS.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be made in Rose's memory at the Lawrence Arts Center. Donations can be made online at https://enroll.lawrenceartscenter.org/glimmers-of-hope or by mail to 940 New Hampshire, Lawrence, KS 66044.