Shirley Rosemond Rutledge Harman

Shirley, daughter of John and Anna Rovang, born November 13, 1927, in Bryant South Dakota, peacefully passed away April 5, 2025.

Her South Dakota farm upbringing and Norwegian heritage were continual sources of pride for Shirley. She would often tell how her immigrant grandparents lived in a sod house while they, neighbors and family would first build the center of their community, Garfield Church.

Shirley’s education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma led to teaching 1st grade before meeting and marrying James Rutledge. She left formal teaching to raise four children in Bellevue with Jim but the teaching and the value of education never left her. It was something she incorporated into her family life and always encouraged her family to continue.

Shirley made sure the family would have myriad experiences; golfing, skiing, hiking, camping, Hawaii among just a few, and those crazy summer road trips back to the family farm in South Dakota. Uff Da! In 1972, and for 20 years, she was a successful realtor in Bellevue. Her large extended Norwegian family was a source of joy. A founding member of Grace Lutheran church in Bellevue, Shirley ensured the church was a part of family life.

In 1983 Shirley’s marriage to Jim ended and she remarried Thomas A Harman. Together they traveled internationally and enjoyed golf and snow birding in Palm Desert. Tom’s grown sons, Tom and Dave, and their families became a welcome and active part of the family.

After Tom’s passing in 2003, Shirley continued to enjoy her winters in Palm Desert, spending time with family and friends, entertaining, attending Hope Lutheran Church and holding up that stubborn Norsk spirit. She always found a special delight in her grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her four children: Steve (Susan B), Mark (Susan M), Anne, and Jim as well as four grandchildren Brandon Rutledge, Lauren Rutledge, Taylour Vereen, Haley Gilmore, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She will be buried alongside her sisters and parents at the Pacific Lutheran Cemetery (Evergreen Washelli).