Harms, David A. (1877-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Feb 10 p. 3, 6

Birth date: 1877 Jul 29

text of obituary:

DAVID A. HARMS

David A. Harms, son of Andreas and Anna (Schroeder) Harms, was born July 29, 1877, in the Gnadenberg community east of Newton, Kansas. Here he spent the days of his youth with his parents and attended the district school and also a German Bible school which was taught by Rev. G. N. Harms.

He moved to Washita county, Okla. with his parents on April1, 1895, and a few years later he established his own home on a farm five miles east of Cordell.

On July 4, 1897, he was baptized upon his confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour by Elder Jacob Toevs of Newton, Kansas and became a member of the Sichar church, where he was a faithful and active member for seven years. In March of 1904 he joined the Herold church and soon moved on a farm north of the church. Here he was an active member and attended most every service until his sickness, and remained a faithful member of this church until death.

On April 11, 1901, he was married to Katharina Thiessen. The Lord blessed them with seven children and 14 grandchildren. Two children and one grandchild preceded him in death: one daughter, Anna, on Oct 21, 1908, at the age of 9 months; one son, David Jr., on June 17, 1922, at the age of 16 years. They lived together for 28 years. His wife, the mother of the home, passed away March 23, 1929.

One Dec. 6, 1930 he was married to Katherine Duerksen of Hillsboro, Kansas, and they were privileged to share 18 years together.

He was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed good health until 1945, when his health began to fail. On Oct. 2, 1946, he became ill and medical aid was sought, and on Oct. 25, 1946, he was taken to the hospital. Four weeks later he underwent a major operation. After he had been in the hospital for over 15 weeks he was taken home but remained bedfast and helpless for over two years until his death. The family took care of him at his home.

God gave strength and grace and through all his suffering he was very patient and found comfort in God's Word, especially Psa. 23, and many German hymns he would quote. He always appreciated having his pastor and his many friends call on him. He was ready to go home to his Lord and Saviour. He suffered much the last three days. He passed away quietly Monday, Dec. 20, 1948, at 5:04 p. m. due to hardening of the arteries. He reached the age of 71 years four months and 21 days.

He leaves to mourn him his beloved wife, Katherine, and five children: Ferdinand of Bessie, Okla., Arthur of Cordell, Okla., Albert of Cleo Springs, Okla., Martha of the home, Mathilda (Mrs. Leo Buller) of Cordell; 13 grandchildren; two brothers, Julius of Clinton, Okla. and Bernhard of Bessie, Okla. and their families and many relatives and friends.

Though we mourn over the loss of our dear one, we thank the Lord for the living hope of meeting him again in Glory where there will be no suffering and nor more parting.

Funeral services were held at the Herald church of Bessie on Dec. 23, 1948, in charge of Rev. Paul Dahlenburg, the pastor, assisted at the home by Rev. Ernest Baergen of Omaha, Nebr., in the church by Rev. Henry Hege of Corn, Okla. and Rev. C. B. Friesen of Walton, Kans. and by Rev. J. R. Duerksen of Newton, Kans. at the grave, where also the choir sang. A ladies quartet and trio sang at the home and church services. Burial was made at the church cemetery. — The family.