Harvella Bauman Stutzman passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2024, in Colorado Springs. Born in Champa, Madhya Pradesh, India, on April 15, 1932, she was known for her positive energy that kept her at the heart of social events and hospitality. As the fourth of five children born to medical doctors Harvey and Ella (Garber) Bauman, she grew up on the grounds of the Champa Christian Hospital where her parents worked under the Commission on Overseas Ministries, General Conference Mennonite Church.
From six years old, Harvella studied at Woodstock International School in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, India, in the Himalayan foothills. She thrived there with her siblings: Kenneth, Clara (Stauffer), Albert, and Elizabeth (Shelly). Active in student government, Christian Endeavor, softball, choir and theater, she served as Class of ’49 Secretary for the rest of her life, finding satisfaction in nurturing the bonds among her international classmates.
Harvella graduated from Bluffton (College) University in 1954. There she met Robert Stutzman, of Carlock, Illinois, and they married on December 21, 1953.
They lived in Chicago and Peoria, Illinois, and Anchorage, Alaska, where Bob completed his alternative military service in medical practice. Most of their years together were spent in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where they raised six children. Harvella dedicated herself to the family, to worship and creative endeavors at the Mennonite Church of Normal, and to volunteering at Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington. After earning a hairdressing license in the 1970s, Harvella established a salon for hospital patients.
She and Bob enjoyed hosting and traveling. Many friends will remember her homemade Indian feasts and mugs of sweet chai. Introducing Bob to her Indian “homeland” was particularly meaningful.
In 1990, two years after Bob’s untimely death, Harvella relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, returning to a mountain landscape and living closer to her daughters. She served on the design team for the new Beth-El Mennonite Church building and was a key member of the Beth-El Quilters group.
Harvella built a legacy of love for all children, and was surrounded by her own as she passed. Her 13 grandchildren and four great-grands treasure her focused attention, her patient instruction in teaching crafts of all kinds, and her playful humor. In her family of origin, her younger sister Betty survives.
A Celebration of Life service is planned for 11:00 am, Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Beth-El Mennonite Church, 4625 Ranch Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Woodstock School, P.O. Box 749780 Los Angeles, California 90074-9780; Bluffton University, 1 University Drive, Bluffton, Ohio 45817; Beth-El Mennonite Church, 4625 Ranch Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918; or The Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 S. Cottage Avenue, Normal, Illinois 61767.
