Harms, Walter W. (1895-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Oct 12 p. 6

Birth date: 1895 Jan 24

text of obituary:

WALTER W. HARMS

Walter W. Harms, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Harms, was born in Pleasant township, Whitewater, Kans. January 24, 1895, and passed away September 23, 1950, having attained the age of 55 years, seven months, and 30 days.

Walter spent his entire lifetime in this community. After finishing the public school he attended the Hillsboro academy, graduating in 1915. On June 1, 1914, he was baptized upon his confession of faith and was received into the membership of the Gnadenberg Mennonite church, of which he remained a faithful member until his passing.

He was united in marriage to Dora Nickel on July 7, 1918. Two children, Leslie and Lois, were born to this union. Theirs was a home given to much hospitality. Friends and relatives often gathered there and many happy and enjoyable hours were spent together.

Walter was never of robust health from his youth. In 1937 his health began to fail more rapidly, and in 1944 he was obliged to give up his life work, which was farming. He experienced much suffering because of ill health, yet he often remarked that it was a means of drawing him closer to the Lord.

The last ten weeks of his life were spent in the Veterans hospital in Wichita where he received the kindest attention and the best of medical care.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife Dora; one son and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Harms, one daughter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bowser; three brothers, Alfred, Albert , and Elmer, all of Whitewater, Kans.; three sisters, Lydia, Mrs. E. G. Schmidt, Elbing, Kans., Edna, Mrs. C. N. Riesen, Sedgwick, Kans. and Zelda, Mrs. E. L. Schmidt, Newton, Kans. and their immediate families; four grandchildren, Larry and Darrel Bowser, and Nancy and Linda Sue Barber Harms, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sept. 26, 1950, at 2:00 p at the home and 2:30 at the Gnadenberg Mennonite church, Newton. Ministers in charge were Rev. Herbert R. Miller and Rev. J. J. Voth. Interment was made in the church cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Nov 7 p. 743