Rose P. (Risko) Spangler, 93, of Lebanon, gained her wings on November 18, 2023 and has now found eternal peace in Heaven.

She was born in Lebanon, PA on March 6, 1930 to the late Wendel S. Risko and Katherine Anna (Kundus) Risko.

The only one of 12 siblings to complete twelfth grade, she proudly graduated from Lebanon High School.  Over the years, her jobs included the Hershey Chocolate Factory, Lebanon Paper Box and Marco's  (Rosie the Riveter) before becoming a full time homemaker. Rose devoted her time to her home and family. Her role as Mom, Grammy, Great-Grammy and Great, Great-Grammy gave her so much joy. A devout Catholic, she was a member of SS Cyril and Methodius Church in Lebanon.

She always put others first, tending to everyone's needs, never thinking of herself. Mom, Mamma Rosie, Mamma Bear to her children and Grammy/Grammy Rosie to her grandchildren, she was an amazing cook and could always be found in her kitchen preparing wonderful meals for those she loved. You never left her home hungry and if you were under the weather or needed a little snack, she prepared her well-known cinnamon/sugar toast and hot tea.

Everything was made with love and from scratch.  Her home always smelled wonderful with the aroma of pumpkin pies, apple dumplings, Christmas cookies, chocolate and pumpkin whoopie pies and so many other great treats. Friday was breaded fish day and with that came the pagachie, a wonderful Slovak tradition similar to a corn fritter which was made with the left-over ingredients from breading the fish with some added ingredients like corn, etc. Nothing ever went to waste.

Mom loved the summer to tend to her garden, sweeping the sidewalk in front of her house and oftentimes the sidewalks of her neighbors as well, and hanging out the endless loads of laundry from her family. Of course, she loved to kidsit her grandchildren, setting up the sprinkler in the back yard or helping her pick ripened veggies from her garden. She also enjoyed the winter time and shoveling snow. In later years her favorite questions were about the weather, asking "Did it rain?"

Rose was preceded in death by her siblings:  Kathryn (Katie) Risko Gaus, Helen Risko Corkell Reichard, Mary M. Risko Laucks, Felix R. Risko, Pauline M. Risko Frazier ​Cekot, Benedict M. Risko, Genevieve (Jennie) Risko Whitman, Caroline (Fuzzy) M. Risko Flowers, Henry R. Risko, John W. Risko and Anne Risko Brucker.

Rose is survived by her children, Beverly Johnson, Dawson Spangler, Jr, Kathleen Smetana, David Spangler and Judith Troxell (son-in-law Gary Troxell.) In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Spangler and sons-in-law, Robert Johnson and Gerry Smetana.

She also leaves behind a growing family legacy of grandchildren (Crystal, Stephanie, Beth, Michael, Susann, Stephen, Alan, Breanna, Joshua and Jacob) and great-grandchildren (Veronica, Micah, Dawson, Jesse, Maddie, Rhys, Clara, Oliver and Liam) and great-great granddaughter Silver.

Rose is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews scattered all across the country. And then, of course, there are all those people who had the good fortune to know the Rosie behind those beautiful blue eyes and warm smile in the doctor's office, grocery store, etc. She never met a stranger.

On November 18, 2023, our family lost the most caring, loving and dedicated mother and grandmother, and Heaven gained the most beautiful angel. Even though this world is a little darker, we will carry your light within us always.

Mom, we will always keep you in our hearts, in our thoughts and in our memories...  forever!

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider carrying out an act of kindness in Rose's name. Kindness is a wonderful way to let another struggling soul know that there is still love in the world. And that would be a wonderful legacy for Rose.

Services will be held privately at the discretion of her family. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com