Alma Louise Garman, daughter of W.G. (Bill) and Mattie (Gillett) Decker, was born Jan. 4, 1926, at the family home east of Burr Oak. She died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at SunPorch in Smith Center, Kansas, at the age of 97 years, 10 months and 24 days. She was an only child and the only grandchild of Groo and Emma Gillett.

As an elementary student, Alma walked to the country school near her home. When starting high school in Burr Oak, she rode her horse to and from and stabled him in a shed near the school. She graduated with the Class of 1944. She was united in marriage with Joseph Lee Garman on...