Roma June Dove, 91, of Sabetha, Kansas entered the larger life on Friday, June 21, 2019.

Second child and younger daughter of Dayrel Elijah and Fern Maurine (Reed) Dove, Roma was born June 13, 1928, east of Severy, Kansas, on farmland which her paternal grandfather had homesteaded in the late eighteen hundreds.

Following the death of her mother in February 1934, Roma was reared by a maternal great-aunt and her husband, Emma and John Barndt of Sabetha, Kansas.

Roma graduated from Sabetha High School in 1946. She earned Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees at Emporia State University. Graduate work was completed at the University of Kansas where she earned MFA and PhD degrees.

Roma’s 41 year teaching career, which included 30 years in Shawnee Mission schools, began at Franklin, a rural school just east of Sabetha and ended at Emporia State University. For Roma, life was about learning. She reveled in it and was inspired to share her learnings throughout her career and her life.

Roma was preceded in death by her parents; the Barndts who reared her; a sister, Bonnie Jean Moenning; and a brother, Clair Dove.

Roma is survived by one brother, Wendell Dove of Sabetha; and three nephews and two nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha, KS. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to service time at the church. Inurnment will be made in the Sabetha Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the NorthRidge Church, sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, KS 66534. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.popkessmortuaries.com.