Rose Van Den Branden
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Rose Marie Stephens Van Den Branden of Rochester Hills, Michigan, was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven surrounded by her loving family.
Born on August 30, 1959, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Rose was the only daughter and second of five children to the late Richard and Charlotte Stephens.
Rose attended grade school at St. Clare of Montefalco and graduated high school from Bishop Gallagher High School. She began her career in healthcare at Grace College of Nursing later becoming the Director of Nursing for St. John Home Health Care in Detroit. Rose later earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Madonna University in Livonia.
In 1983, Rose married the love of her life, Mark Van Den Branden. Together they had three daughters and six grandchildren. They built a home of love that knew no bounds; always filled with food, love, and the kind of warmth that made everyone feel welcome.
Throughout her entire life, God was the pillar of her strength and Christ shined through her every day. She began each morning with a prayer and her motto: “Let’s have a great day, let’s have fun!” She lived every day with the intention to give love and to laugh.
Though Rose is no longer with us on earth, we take comfort in knowing she rests safely in God’s embrace, welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Her deep faith, joyful spirit, and unconditional love will live on forever in the hearts of her family and in all whose lives she touched.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Mark, and their daughters: Maureen Hamilton (David), Natalie Gaddis (Mike), and Bridget Zannis (Angelo) and her six cherished grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Michael Stephens (Jill), Richard Stephens (Kelly), and William Stephens (Keri), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard, her mother, Charlotte, and her brother John Stephens (Reneé).
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. Visitation will begin at 10:30am.