Rose Gay (Burroughs) Harms was born September 11, 1932 to Jesse Wallace and Ethel Frances (Elkins) Burroughs in Shambaugh, Iowa. Rose went to be with the Lord on October 14, 2014. Rose was 82 years old.

Rose attended elementary country schools in Page and Taylor counties in Iowa, and at Stanberry Missouri. She attended high school at Clarinda, Iowa, graduating with the class of 1950. Rose played the base violin in high school and was employed at Sue's Beauty Shop and the Elsie Williams Caf with close friend Ruth Reed.

Rose was united in marriage to Winfred Meardy Harms on February 20, 1951 in a church in Gravity, Iowa by Rev. Moody. They were blessed with the birth of three children, Wayne Douglas, Gloria Lorraine, and Wallace Christopher Harms. Winfred passed away on December 20, 1988. The family spent most of their life in Page County, except for a few years living in Loveland, Colorado, then moving to Tarkio, Missouri, and settling in 1968 in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Rose was a bookkeeper for her husband during his years as a Pepsi distributor. She also worked at Garden View Care Center as a Nursing Assistant and as Activity Director at Elm Heights Care Center until retiring due to her health.

Rose was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Yorktown, Norwich and at present, Shenandoah. She participated as a member of the WSCS, Rachel Circle and Christian Women's Fellowship, serving on their board. She held various offices in these organizations, also taught Sunday School and Bible School for a number of years. Rose belonged to the neighborhood club in the Morton township until her family moved into town. She took place in the Walk-to-Emmaus. Rose had a very strong faith and trust in God.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-laws, husband Winfred, sisters Patty (Alvin) Baker, Geraldine (Ed) Major, brothers Jesse Jr. and Marion Burroughs, brothers-in-law Denver Harms, Ed Harms, Charles Williams and Robert Clark, and sisters-in-laws Viola (Fitzpatrick) Harms, Mary Harms, and Laverne Harms, along with several nieces and nephews.

Rose is survived by her children Wayne Douglas Harms of Northboro, Iowa, Gloria Lorraine (Dan) Mauer of Essex, Iowa, and Wallace Christopher (Stephani) Harms of the Kansas City area, grandchildren Laura (Josh) Bowen of Imogene, Bradley (MacKenzie Daily) Mauer of Red Oak, Iowa, Dustin, Nathan and Heather Harms of the Kansas City area, great-grandchildren Molly and Emma Bowen of Imogene and Bryleigh Mauer of Red Oak, Iowa, also surviving siblings Shirley (Vernard) Thomas of Coin, Leona Clark of Richland, Jeannie Williams of Shenandoah, brother Vincent (Junell) Burroughs of Wellman, brother-in-law Lawrence (Donna) Harms of Lincoln, Missouri, sisters-in-law Carolyn Burroughs of Corning, Iowa and Dee Burroughs of Michigan and many nieces, nephews and many friends.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or Walk-To-Emmaus

Burial will be held at the Union Grove Cemetery rural Northboro.