Rose Mary (Harms) Means, 77, passed away on June 28, 2013, at her family home in Monument, Colo., from complications resulting from a stroke.
Rose Mary was born on July 5, 1935, to Clarence and Alida (Schmidt) Harms of Butler County, and was reared on their family farm near Whitewater. She attended Bethel College in North Newton, later transferring to Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia. She had taught previously using a certificate.
Rose Mary met and married her husband, Curtis, while both were students at KSTC. She gave birth to her first son, Steve, while she was a senior. Rose graduated from KSTC with a degree in education.
Upon graduation from KSTC, Rose and her new small family moved to San Francisco, Calif. They later lived in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Colorado and had two more children, Karen and Bill.
Rose Mary was one of the longest living persons with Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes (47 years). She tried valiantly to fight the ravages of this disease and reared her three children with fierce determination. Her children learned from early ages how to treat her episodes of insulin shock and unconsciousness. Her husband traveled for a living and was often gone for long periods.
Rose Mary was adept at a multitude of disciplines, but her primary interest was as a homemaker. She will be sorely missed.
Rose Mary is survived by her loving husband of 53 years; three children, Steve, Karen and Bill; eight grandchildren in Colorado; and her sister, Pat of Lawrence.
So long for now. We’ll see you in the bye and bye…
A graveside committal service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2013, at Grace Hill Mennonite Cemetery in rural Newton. A service of celebration and remembrance will continue at 2:30 p.m. at Grace Hill Mennonite Church, with Pastor Peter Goerzen presiding. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Petersen Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Read more: http://www.thekansan.com/article/20130705/NEWS/130709674/1031/OBITUARIES#ixzz2YHmspDhx
I was so saddened by the news of Rose Mary’s passing. I have many fond memories of our school days at Whitewater and Bethel college. I would love to attend the celebration service but am unable to because of illness. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this trying time.
Aunt Rosie was a fun, down to earth good human being for whom I had the privilege of taking care of her and U.Curtie’s children while she learned of her diabetes in hospital. We shared child-rearing aspects & keeping husbands happy…she will be missed on Earth & enjoyed in Heaven.