Hope Elizabeth Bare

Hope Elizabeth Watts Bare February 12, 1924 - March 3, 2016 Hope Elizabeth Watts was born Feb 12, 1924 at an English Ridge farm house in Pottawatomie County near Havensville, KS. She was the fourth of Fred Watts and Rosa May Clements’ five children. From the 1st through the 8th grade she attended the one room English Ridge School, located a little over ½ mile south of the farm home. She was an excellent scholar, placing highest on the 8th grade county exams in 1938. In 1942, Hope graduated as valedictorian from Havensville High School and received several college scholarships. In addition to her studies, she participated in 4-H club (president), the Girl Reserves, and lettered in basketball. Over the years, she kept in touch with her classmates and frequently attended high school reunions. Hope continued her education at Kansas State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Kansas State with high honors in 1946. She helped pay her way through college working in the college cafeteria, cleaning houses for room and board, and babysitting for 10 cents/hour. While babysitting, she would sometimes have to iron shirts. She detested ironing and was an avid supporter of permanent press - once it was developed. She remained a loyal K-Stater all her life, rooting for the Wildcats and attending college reunions. Hope initially taught Home Economics in Haven, KS (1946-1947) then resigned in support of a teacher who was sexually harassed by the principal. She then worked for three months as a Clark County Home Demonstration Extension Agent in Ashland, KS giving home care advice. From 1947 to 1950, Hope taught home economics at Silver Lake, KS starting a boys’ class that was very popular. In 1950, she began teaching in Manhattan, KS (1950-1953), where she started dating Chet Bare. Hope married Chet on June 14th, 1953 at the Buck’s Grove Methodist Church. After the wedding, Hope and Chet spent the summer in Ft Collins, Colorado where she completed her Master’s of Education at Colorado State University while Chet first worked on the railroad, then a local pickle factory. They moved to Kansas City, KS where Hope taught at Central Junior High (1953-1955) while Chet attended medical school. Hope continued with substitute teaching after they started a family in 1955. She was active at her children’s schools, serving as PTA officer in both the junior and senior high schools. Later, she taught pre-school at the Blue Ridge Methodist Church for five years. She remained an active member of the honorary teachers’ organization, Delta Kappa Gamma, since she was inducted in 1951. She encouraged education in her children and all have college degrees. Hope had an open, easy manner, expansive patience and a ready grin. Generous in all aspects of her life, she was an inspiration for many women, including students, friends, and colleagues. She was an excellent caregiver. She raised six children and cared for her both parents and mother-in-law as they aged. While she enjoyed all people, children were especially dear. In addition to teaching, she enjoyed interacting with Halloween’s trick or treating children and was active in Scouts. She had a good sense of humor which was necessary with Chet and the children. Hope was active member of the Blue Ridge Methodist Church joining in 1959. She was a member of Lydia Circle, the United Methodist Women’s Association, and served as condolence chairman for the church from 1973-1996. She shared Chet’s interest in genealogy and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. After the children were grown, she met weekly with a coffee group and a luncheon group (Devilish Red Hatters). Hope enjoyed with Chet, canning tomatoes and green beans from their large garden. Hope loved growing flowers, particularly roses. Other loves include travelling. Over the years, the family travelled by car throughout North America including Mexico City, Nova Scotia, and Alaska. Hope went to World’s Fairs, family reunions, England, Ireland, an African Safari, cruises through the Panama Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, and a church trip to Israel and Egypt. Hope and Chet were married for nearly 63 years. She is survived by her husband Chet; children Mark, Lance (Suzanne), Garth, Jane (Steve), Marla and Cleve (Tara); and ten grandchildren, Alan, Stephen, Kevin, Sabrina, Delaney, Kelsey, Grace, Lauren, Sarah, and Megan. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Buck’s Grove Church, Attn: Joyce, 704 W 1st Street, Holton, KS 66436. Funeral service will be 2:00pm, Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64133. Burial will follow. Visitation will be Friday, 6-8pm, at the chapel.