Obituary: Rose Mary (Harms) Means
Newton, Kan. — 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.
