Harms, Maria (1895-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Jun 5 p. 14

Birth date: 1895 Jan 6

text of obituary:

Maria Harms, Tochter von H. H. und Elizabeth Klaassen Harms, ward am 6. Jan 1895 geboren. 1905 starb ihre Mutter, was ein sehr grßer [sic großer] Schmerz für das Kind war, das so christlich veranlagt und liebevoll sehr geschickt war. Nach der Distriktschule besuchte sie 2 Jahre die Hillsboro Academy. Am 16. Juni 1912 ward sie von Aelt. G. N. Harms getauft und Glied der Gnadenberg Gemeinde. 1915 fing sie an geistig und körperlich zu leiden. Aerztliche Hilfe wurde gesucht, aber das Leiden wurde schlimmer und sie ward nach der christlichen Heilanstalt, Emmaus Heim, Marthasville, Mo., gebracht, wo sie fast 16 Jahre war. Sie war dort scheinbar zufrieden und immer froh wenn die Ihrigen sie besuchten . Eines Tages, Ende April, ging sie von der Anstalt in den Wald, wo sie sich verirrte. Am 5. Mai ward ihr Leichnam gefunden und gleich im Emmaus Friedhof begraben. Es schmerzt tief, daß sie ein so trauriges Ende hatte; doch ist sie nun in der ewigen Ruhe. Sie wurde 50 J. 3 M. und etliche Tage alt. Es überleben sie der Vater, die zweite Mutter und 8 Brüder mit Familien: Leonhard, Emil, Paul, Theodor, Isaac, Valentin, William und Henry. Eine Gedenkfeier ward am 13. Mai gehalten, geleitet von Pred. J. J. Voth.

“Und löst sich hier das Rätsel nicht,
             Des Glükes [sic Glückes] lichte Sonne scheint,
Im Land voll ew’gem Sonnenschein,
             Da wirst du sehn, wie Er’s gemeint.

Ob über deinem Leben nie
             Des Glückes lichte Sonne Scheint,
Nur düstre Wolken spät und früh
             Einst wirst du sehn, wie Er’s gemeint.

Drum trau auf Gott und harre aus,
             Wie dunkel auch dein Weg dir scheint;
Er endet doch im Vaterhaus;
             Dann wirst du sehn, wie Er’s gemeint!

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 May 24 p. 3

text of obituary:

MARY HARMS

Mary Harms, daughter of H. H. and Elizabeth (Klassen) Harms, was born January 6, 1895, and died the later part of April, 1945, having attained the age of 50 years, 3 months and several days.

She experienced her deepest sorrow at the age of 10 years when her mother was taken from her in death. She received her education in the rural school and for two years attended the Hillsboro Academy. She was an able and industrious girl and possessed a quiet, Christina disposition. On June 16, 1912, she was baptized by Rev. G. N. Harms and received into the fellowship of the Gnadenberg church.

In 1915 her mental health began slowly to fail and though various physicians were consulted all endeavors to find a cure remained fruitless. She continued to grow worse until, as a last hope to find healing for her, she was committed to a Christian asylum, the Evangelical Emmaus Home, at Marthasville, Missouri, where she received loving and Christian care for 16 years less two months.

On April 25 she had wandered away from the Home and was lost in the woods. On May 5 after an extended search by hospital attendants her body was found and immediately buried in the Emmaus cemetery. She has gone to her reward. May she have found grace in the sight of God.

Her dear mother and one 16 months old sister, Martha, have preceded her in death. She leaves her father, her stepmother and eight brothers with their families. They are Leonhard, Emil, Paul, Theodor, Isaac, Valentine, William and Henry.

Not now, but in the coming years,
     It may be in the better land,
We'll read the meaning of our tears,
     And there, sometime, we'll understand.

We'll catch the broken threads again,
     And finish what we here began;
Heaven will the mysteries explain,
     And then, ah, then, we'll understand.

We'll know why clouds instead of sun
     Were over many a cherished plan;
Why song has ceased where scarce begun;
     'Tis there, sometime, we'll understand.

Why what w long for most of all
     Eludes so oft our eager hand;
Why hopes are crushed and castles fall,
     Up there, sometime, we'll understand.

God knows the way, he holds the key,
     He guides us with unerring hand;
Some time with tearless eyes we'll see,
     Yes, there up there, we'll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days,
     Fear not! for he doth hold thy hand;
Though dark thy way, still sing and praise;
     Sometime, sometime, we'll understand.

Memorial services were held at the Gnadenberg church east of Newton Sunday afternoon, May 13, at which Rev. J. J. Voth had charge and was assisted by the men's quartet of the church.

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Jun 3 p. 15