Rose (Stempihar) Harris

RACINE, Wis. – Rose Marie Harris, 95, of Racine, formerly of Anvil and Ramsay, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, Sept. 22, 2011, after a brief illness.

She was born on March 8, 1916, in Anvil, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Verbonac) Stempihar, who emigrated from Yugoslavia. Rose graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, with the class of 1934.

On March 14, 1935, she married Richard Gordon Harris, in Bessemer.

Rose loved her family dearly. She enjoyed being with them in Racine and visiting other family in Wakefield, California and Alaska.

Rose is survived by a son, Robert (Diane), and a daughter, Norma Swee, both of Racine; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ann Bonello, Wakefield; her two sisters-in-law, Eileen Stempihar, Wakefield, and Mary Heinze, South Haven; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Richard, on July 15, 1983; three brothers, Matthew Stempihar, in 1966, John Stempihar Sr., in 2001, and Frank Stempihar, in 2005; her brother-in-law, Mike Bonello, in 2005; and a nephew, Thomas Stempihar, in 1991.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at the Lakeside Memorial Chapel, 806 Putnam St., Wakefield, with the Rev. Joy J. Adimakkeel, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield, officiating.

Rite of Committal and burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family. Your condolences may be shared with the family at: lakesidememorialchapel.com.