Former Aberdeen resident Rose Dawn Wilkinson of Napavine passed away March 14, 2018, at Providence hospital in Portland, Ore., after a courageous battle with COPD. She was born Feb. 22, 1938, in Buffalo. Mo. As a young girl she and her mother Delores moved to California, later they moved to Sweet Home, Ore., where she met and married Warren Culbertson. They had two children, Mitchell and Brenda. They divorced in 1967. In 1972 Rose moved to Aberdeen, Wash. to be closer to her mother. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Rose worked as a bartender at various business in Aberdeen that included the Rainbow Tavern, 40 & 8 club, and Veterans club, where in 1986 she met and married Rich Wilkinson.
Rose had a passion for the outdoors and along with her husband Rich they took many camping trips throughout Washington and Oregon. Rose especially liked fishing for salmon in the Chehalis and Cowlitz rivers. She also took regular trips to Alaska to see her two grandkids. Rose enjoyed collecting Flo-Blue pottery and had a very impressive collection. She was an avid reader and enjoyed books of all types. She enjoyed sitting on the back deck in summer time and relaxing. She loved her Shih Tzu dogs and always had one around. She enjoyed going for long drives with her husband and their getaway trips to Seaside, Ore.
In 2005 her daughter Brenda died unexpectedly and two weeks later Rose was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. Rose was a fighter and beat the cancer, however it took a toll. Shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with COPD that vastly limited her active lifestyle. Rose continued to do the things she loved but with restrictions. Her husband Rich was very supportive and helped any way possible; she never complained. As recent as 2017, she took her final trip to Alaska and was still able to fish for halibut.
The last several months of her life were trips to the doctor and stays in the Hospital. Even the last few days of her life, she still had that wonderful smile and never complained about her condition.
Rose is survived by her husband Rich Wilkinson, son Mitchell Culbertson and grandsons Leland and Dustin.
Funeral announcements will be made at a later date.
