Lenore Alta (Monroe) Rogers went peacefully to her heavenly address at 11 p.m. January 8, 2026 surrounded by her family and under the caring guidance of Mercyhealth Hospice, Rockford IL.
Born May 11, 1934, on the dining room table of her cherished family home, 520 N. Putnam St., Williamston, MI, Lenore was brought into the world by O.S. Hendren, MD in the era when doctors made house calls.
In high school, Lenore worked at her father’s business, Monroe Pharmacy, ‘The Friendly Corner Pharmacy’, gift shop and ice cream parlor, where she became reacquainted with her future husband upon his return from military service in Japan. Many are the romances which have bloomed over ice cream! Lenore graduated from Williamston High School, class of 1952 and attended University of Michigan dental laboratory program, where she received high praise from her professors.
Lenore’s focus was family, raising her daughter and three sons and serving her Lord Jesus at Jeruel Baptist Church, where she was a founding member. Lenore wore many hats including pianist, alto singer in the choir, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and church greeter. She derived much joy from helping people feel welcome at church.
Lenore enjoyed arts and crafts and teaching craft classes to senior citizens through the local college. She was a talented seamstress, capable of drawing a sketch and completing a beautiful garment from her sketches. She was a member and secretary of the Waterloo Needlework Club for 50 years. A love of fashion and ‘dressing to the nines’ were passions of Lenore’s. She loved outfits in every color with coordinating shoes and accessories. Lenore’s dream-come-true was to have a family cottage on Lake Huron which she was able to enjoy for 20 years, often proclaiming that Lake Huron was her heaven on earth.
The last 10 years of her life were spent living in Illinois with her daughter and son-in-law, which she greatly enjoyed. Nevertheless, she always wondered why anyone in their right mind would live anywhere other than the great state of Michigan. Lenore’s friends remember her heart of gold, kindness and smarts, and even though plagued latein-life with dementia, her hilarious one-liner sense of humor.
Lenore was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Russell L. Rogers; her parents, Jeff and Albertine Monroe; her son, John Russell Rogers, and her ‘perfect’ cocker spaniel mix-rescue dog, Holly. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Lynn Powers (Tim); son, Bruce Monroe Rogers (Linda); son, Craig Brian Rogers (Lisa); grandchildren: Gabe Powers (Dana), Gina LENORE Powers (Ron), Grant Powers (Kristen), Jeff Rogers, Mandi ‘Sunshine Girl’ Makowski (Derek), Nicole Johnson (Andy), Angela Rogers, Brian Rogers; seventeen great-grandchildren ages four months to 24 years: Jeffry, Hailey, Sydney, Ellie, Merilee, Jovee, Kerstee, Jakob, Tenley, twins Hadley and Kyley, Nick, Frank, A.J., Ava, Ali, and Annalise; and a niece, Aloise Bachelder (Mike).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to Jeruel Baptist Church of Munith; Waterloo Needlework Club, or Dementia Society of America, www.dementiasociety.org.
Visitation will be held at Jeruel Baptist Church, 11400 Plum Orchard Rd., Munith, MI, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday, January 16, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Jeruel Baptist Church.
Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.
