Rose Marie (Beckman) Hartman, 81, passed away from complications of COVID-19 on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at the Long Term Care in Quinter, KS. She was born on the family farm near Menlo, KS on February 12, 1939, the last of nine children of William and Anna (Robben) Beckman. She graduated from Menlo High School in 1957 and then ventured off to Denver, CO to begin her secretarial career. While on a visit home to see her parents, she met Doug Hartman of Grainfield, KS on a blind date set up by her brother Dennis. On September 24, 1966, Rose Marie and Doug married at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Seguin, KS.
Rose Marie and Doug made their first home on a farm west of Park, KS. Over the years they and their growing family lived in Saint Francis, KS; Lincoln, NE; Dodge City, KS; Hutchinson, KS; Amarillo, TX; and West Des Moines, IA. Rose Marie was a fiercely devoted and supportive mother to her sons Christopher, born in 1968, and Gregory, who arrived in 1973.
Following her husband’s death in West Des Moines in 1983, Rose Marie joined Widowed Persons’ Service, a program sponsored by AARP, and later became a facilitator for the group. In 1985 she helped found a social group for widowed people in Iowa and published a monthly newsletter which she prepared in her home for over 200 subscribers.
In 2000 Rose Marie moved from West Des Moines to Colorado Springs, CO and then returned to Grainfield in 2002 to enjoy her retirement. She purchased her home in Grainfield from the estate of her parents-in-law, Lawrence and Jennie Hartman.
Rose Marie was employed at various office jobs throughout her working years, most recently at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines and Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.
From a young age, Rose Marie was blessed with musical ability and started playing the piano by ear at the age of three. In addition to piano, she played the accordion and keyboard and enjoyed providing musical entertainment for hospitals, rest homes, retirement homes, and private parties. She was a church organist at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson. Rose Marie was a parishioner of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield.
Rose Marie was preceded in death by her husband Douglas; her parents; brothers Charles, William, James, Francis, and Robert; parents-in-law Lawrence and Jennie Hartman; brothers-in-law Ben Ostmeyer, Kay Driver, and Ralph, Delmar, Frank, and Albert Hartman; and sisters-in-law Geraldine (Betty) Beckman, Lorraine Hartman and Carol (Shafer) Hartman.
She is survived by her sons Chris, of Grainfield, and Greg (Maria), of Del Norte, CO; a brother, Dennis, of Colorado Springs; sisters Anna Bell Ostmeyer of Hoxie, KS and Bea Driver of Goodland, KS; brothers-in-law Elmer (Laverna) Hartman of Lakewood, CO; James Hartman, of Park, and Robert (Kathy) Hartman of Grainfield; sister-in-law Rita (Lindeman) Beckman of Hoxie; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
At this time, only private family services will be taking place. Plans for future public services are pending, please check back for details.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Masses and the American Lung Association. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 Main St. Quinter, KS 67752.