Obituary of Glenrose Barthmuss

Glenrose Barthmuss 1917-2014 It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Glenrose Barthmuss, 97, who died peacefully in her sleep July 31, 2014, after being surrounded by her family and kind caregivers who gathered to be near her at An Everlasting Spring, a board and care home located in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Glenrose is survived by her son, David; daughter-in-law, Lori; and grandchildren, Morgan and Hannah. All will miss her attentive style and flare for breaking out in song at the drop of a hat. Her love for music was trumped only by her devotion and commitment to her husband of 65 years, Helmut, who preceded her in death six years earlier. Glenrose was born Jan. 11, 1917, in Calumet Township, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to Arthur Bailey, a copper miner from England, and Amelia Charlotte Johns, also from England. Glenrose had one sister, Ruth, who eventually made her way to Phoenix, Ariz., where she raised a family before passing away in 1988. The Baileys eventually settled in Detroit where Glenrose graduated from high school and was employed by the Chrysler Corp. where she worked in the payroll department. In Detroit, Glenrose eventually met her husband, Helmut, and was a devoted wife who steadfastly stood by his side for the next six decades. After moving to various cities and US Army bases across the country, they bought a home in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park, after Helmut returned home from the South Pacific at the end of WWII. Glenrose prided herself in keeping a “clean and neat” home, and worked very hard to protect and advocate for what she perceived to be the best interest of her family, which would eventually include a son, adopted in 1960. She was active in local Methodist churches and put her accomplished soprano voice to good use in their choirs performing many solos, her favorite being Handel’s Messiah. Glenrose was also very active in the Degree of Honor Fraternal Organization, a grassroots association committed to helping those in need through community service and adherence to the principals of volunteerism. In 2006, Glenrose and Helmut moved to a Thousand Oaks retirement community where they could be closer to their immediate family, and live more comfortably during their remaining years. Glenrose will be laid to rest beside her beloved Helmut at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. Her family hopes Glenrose’s memory will be kept alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. All Glenrose asks is that she be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who did her best to brighten the day through song.