Rosemaria Gibbs

Rosemaria Monica Gibbs, a resident of Nampa, Idaho died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, July 25 at the age of 84.  She is survived by two younger sisters: Jasmiene (Erwin) Suess and Monika Kremmler - all from Germany; four sons Ronald & (Susan) Knutson (grandchildren Megan and Ryan), Russel Knutson, Randall & (Julie) Knutson (grandchildren Drew & Ian), Rick & (Naomi) Gibbs (grandchildren Hannah & Hayden); five great grandchildren; and several step-children including Shawn Gibbs, Loni Gibbs, Nancy Gibbs, and Robin Gibbs.  Rosemaria is preceded in death by her late husband Don L. Gibbs, her parents Kurt and Hedwig Bitter (Germany); a brother and sisters (Germany); and her first husband Bruce Knutson. 

Rosemaria Gibbs was born February 22, 1937 in Bresslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) to Kurt and Hedwig Bitter.  She was the oldest of six children.  Her family fled Bresslau, Germany at the close of World War II, just ahead of the Soviet forces.  The family carried what belongings they could onto Red Cross trains that resettled families into the Bavarian region of Germany, eventually settling in the town of Deggendorf.  As a young woman, she married a member of the US Airforce, Bruce Knutson and had three sons, Ron, Russ and Randy.  She and Bruce divorced, and she then married the love of her life, Don Gibbs, who was also a member of the US Airforce.  As a military wife, Rosemaria lived in many parts of the world including West Germany, Okinawa, Japan; Spokane, Wa.; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Besides being a mom, one of Rosemaria’s proudest accomplishments was becoming a US citizen in 1963, where she took pride in learning the language, driving a vehicle, and being a military housewife and mother. Rosemaria’s best gift was her sociability; no one was a stranger to her.  She enjoyed her daily outings to the bank, Winco, or any other shopping errand where she enjoyed catching up with anyone and everyone who would partake in good ole fashioned conversation.  She spent her life putting others first, primarily the pursuits and interests of her children.

In 1977, her husband Don retired from the Air Force, and the family moved out west to Idaho where they settled in Nampa.  Rosemaria lived in the house they purchased that year until her passing.  After her husband's untimely passing in 1984, Rosemaria worked at the JR Simplot company for over 15 years, where she started on the processing line and made her way into the lab for food development and testing.  She remained a widow for 38 years.  She took pride in raising her children, keeping an organized house and yard, paying off her mortgage, and making sure all her children had whatever was needed and often wanted.  She worked hard all her life to give others their best opportunity.

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