ROSE MARIE NIWA
Posted: July 8th, 2026
ROSE MARIE NIWA (Heck) After a long and difficult journey with Alzheimer’s, Rose Niwa of Acadia Valley peacefully slipped away to be with the Lord on July 3, 2026, at the age of eighty-eight.
Rose was predeceased by her loving husband Leo in 1985, sisters Martha Wolfe (2004), Lillian Heck (2010), and brothers Tony (1995), and George Heck (2015).
Rose is survived by her six children Colleen (Bradford), Brian (Nancy), Bob (Tara), Rick, Karen (Steven), and Joe (Tammy), seventeen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and her sisters Jacobina (James Fishbach), and Johana Osti.
Rose was born December 6, 1937, in Empress, Alberta to parents Clemens Heck and Wilhelmina (Onheliger). She spent her childhood years in Mendham, Saskatchewan.
Rose and Leo Niwa met while Rose was working at the Empress Hospital and were married October 25, 1958.
They raised their family on the family farm outside of Acadia Valley. After Leo’s death in 1985 Rose moved the family home into Acadia Valley. In 1990 Rose began working for the Acadia Senior’s Lodge in Oyen, Alberta where she was employed for seventeen years.
As an active member of the Acadia Valley community, she served many years with the Catholic Women’s League and the Acadia Valley Community Club.
Rose moved into the Senior’s Lodge in Oyen in 2017, and, as her illness progressed to the Continuing Care Unit of the Big Country Hospital in Oyen.
The family would like to thank the physicians and staff of the Continuing Care Unit for the care provided to Rose throughout the years.
Grandma Rose will be lovingly remembered for her fierce cribbage games and her legendary cinnamon buns.
In Liew of flowers, those wishing to celebrate Rose’s life are encouraged to donate to Oyen and District Health Care Foundation directed to the Long Term Care. Box 1 Oyen, AB T0J 2J0
A prayer service was held on Tues July 7th and Mass of Christian burial was held on Wed July 8th, 2026 at St.Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Acadia Valley, AB
Funeral arrangements in care of MacLean’s Funeral Home, Oyen, Alberta