- Date Of Birth: September 3, 1933
- Date Of Death: March 3, 2019
- State: Indiana
Aeja “Kim” Furrer, age 85 of Franklin, Indiana, passed away at her home on March 3, 2019. Born an identical twin on September 3, 1933 in Hikone City, Japan, Kim (also known by family and some friends as Aiko), married Dale Furrer, a Korean War veteran, while he was serving in the Marine Corps and stationed in Japan. Kim and Dale moved to the United States where Kim became a United States citizen in 1962 after several months of study. Ultimately, Kim and Dale moved to Franklin, Indiana where they made their life together and raised their family. Dale joined the Franklin Police Department and became Chief of Police before joining the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department. Dale, at the time a detective, passed away in 1976. Kim and Dale’s oldest son, Harry, eventually followed in his father’s footsteps, also serving as Chief of the Franklin Police Department.
Kim worked for many years at the Indiana Masonic Home as their seamstress and also as a Mary Kay Cosmetics representative.
Kim had been a member of the Franklin Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Franklin Women’s Republican Club, and for years her family belonged to Grace United Methodist Church, where Kim was a member of the Naomi Circle. Kim was also a member of Franklin Chapter 439 of the Order of the Eastern Star, which recently awarded her its 50-year pin. A long-time member of a Franklin bowling league, Kim’s high scores appeared regularly in The Daily Journal under the heading “The Tuesday Morning Ladies.” Kim bowled many times in the Franklin Women’s Bowling Association annual tournaments, and she continued to bowl into her 80’s.
In 1995, Kim assisted Joyce Haughey in sewing and constructing teddy bears which were sold throughout the United States and Europe. Haughey constructed a bear that she named ‘Kim’ which was auctioned off in Japan to raise funds for victims of the January 1995, earthquake which struck Kobe and parts of Osaka, Japan.
Kim was very much-loved by her family, who knew they could always go to her for advice, support and encouragement, and they admired her for her undeniable strength and perseverance throughout many challenges.
Kim was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her three children: Harry Furrer, Franklin; Grace (Furrer) Kite (Donald), Indianapolis; and Michael Furrer; to her four grandchildren: Brad Kite, Indianapolis; Leah (Kite) Lickliter (John), Indianapolis; David Kite, San Francisco, California, and the late Megan (Furrer) Pratt; and to her five great-granddaughters: Aiko Moon Kite (Kim’s namesake), Indianapolis; Caroline Marie and Olivia Ruth Lickliter, Indianapolis; Camryn Ann-Marie and Demi Raylee Pratt, Noblesville.
