Rozella Wheatley, age 82, of Mahnomen, Minnesota, died Friday, February 23, 2007, under hospice care at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in Mahnomen.

Rozella was born in Ironton, Kentucky, to Doss and Lily (Ingram) Kilgore. She grew up and attended school in Kentucky and at the age of 17 following graduation, Rozella moved to Michigan. During WWII, she worked at Ford Motors and later at Purolators. Rozella was united in marriage to Douglas C. Fairbanks and they made their home in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. After several years, the couple divorced and Rozella later married George Wheatley, her lifetime friend and companion. George and Rozella resided in Dearborn until George retired in the early 70's. Upon George's retirement, they moved to Florida until moving to Minnesota in the Spring of 2000. George died October 5, 2000, and Rozella entered the nursing home in 2003.

Rozella loved to sing and was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves. She had a passion for dining out with friends and family, taking her time and enjoying every part of the dining experience. Rozella was a lifetime member of the OES of Eastern Star Chapter 238.

Rozella is survived by a son, Douglas Fairbanks, of Ogema, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Amber and Ashley Fairbanks; one great grandson, Jack Fairbanks; two brothers, Henry and Harold Kilgore and two sisters, Nola Van Strien and Ann James. She was preceded in death by husband, George, and two brothers, Donald and Jim Kilgore.