Rose M. “Rosie” Hardman, 82, passed away Monday, September 23, 2019, in Plainville, Kansas. She was born May 29, 1937 in Sturgis, South Dakota to John Theodore and Ruth Constance (Hoff) Thummel. When she was one and a half years old, the family moved to Plainville, Kansas and lived in that area until she wed.
While living in Plainville, Rose did cooking, housework and child care for Creta Hilgers making $2.00 a day. She then worked five years at Shag’s Cleaners as a presser. She enjoyed her time at each place and thought the world of those she worked for. Rose saved enough to pay for her wedding to Dwayne Hardman on February 12, 1961.
Rose and Dwayne spent the next 58 years enjoying their life together. Thirty-one years were spent on the farm south of Lenora and then they lived twenty-seven years in Hill City. To their union four children were born: Diana, Christine, John and Dorothy.
Rose was an active member and officer in the Homemaker’s Club in her neighborhood for 20 years. She also joined the North Star Club and wrote their news for the Hill City Times for many years. Lots of hours were spent at the typewriter at home, much to the joy and admiration of her children.
Rose was very creative, including writing poetry that was published throughout her life. She was able to sew and alter anything placed before her and won many purple ribbons at the county fair. Rose was a fantastic Avon Lady. She grew an amazing garden every year. Since she was a fabulous cook, all the area salesmen would schedule their visits around lunch time because they knew Dwayne would ask them to stay for a meal with Rose! She also drove the truck at harvest time for Dwayne for many years.
Rose’s passion was antique shopping. She had an antique business in Hill City for twelve years and attended hundreds of auctions. Some of her children’s prized possessions are the pieces Rose personally found that were “just right” for each child and given to them at Christmas.
Rose was active at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church where she led the singing for most of her time in Hill City. She also enjoyed the prayer meetings that were held at her house on a regular basis.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Thummel; daughter, Christine Hardman; sisters: Vera Kruse and Grace Thummel and brother Jon Thummel.
Rose is survived by her husband Dwayne; children: Diana (Tom) Baumann, Hays, John Hardman , Lenora and Dorothy (Mark) Heim, Hoxie; brothers: Mark (Melinda) Thummel Plainville and Ralph (Melinda) Thummel, Hays; sisters: Elizabeth Striggow, Hill City, Sister Mary Jo Thummel, Concordia, Theresa Kriley, Stockton and May Munk, Hays; grandchildren: Kaci (Kyle) Kirmer, Quincy Scott, Joel Scott, Steiner Scott, and Cole Peters; and great grandchildren: Aaron Smith and Karter and Kaleb Kirmer. Rose’s love for family and friends and her deep faith in God will be the things we remember and cherish. They serve as an example a life well lived.
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