Harms, Cornelius C. (1881-1978)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 4 May 1978 p. 11

Birth date: 1881 May 9

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS C. HARMS

Cornelius C. Harms was born May 9, 1881 to Cornelius and Elizabeth (Goosen) Harms in Schoenau, Russia. He died Mar. 3, 1978 at the age of 96.

At the age of 25 he came to America with his parents. After a brief stay in Kansas, he settled on a ranch near Reedley, Calif., where he enjoyed working the soil for most of his life.

He was united in marriage to Anna Quiring Mar. 3, 1909 by George Wiens near Henderson, Neb. After sharing their lives for nearly 54 years, she died Feb. 12, 1963.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior while living in Kansas in April of 1907. He was baptized Mar. 15, 1908 in the Kings River by Abram Buhler and received into the membership of the Reedley M. B. Church. Later he became a charter member of the Dinuba M. B. Church.

He was faithful in church attendance all his life and together with his wife found joy in serving in the church to those in need both spiritually and materially. He and his wife loved music, and singing was a way of sharing and encouraging the sick and those in sorrow.

After his wife's death he spent much time reading the Bible and in communion with the Lord. At the age of 82 he received an accordion, which he played and enjoyed.

At the time of his departure, he had been a resident at the Unruh Guest Home for five years. He had experienced good health all his life until the last several years.

Left behind to mourn his passing are one son and wife—Peter C. and Jeanette Harms of Dinuba; five daughters—Anna (Mrs. Jacob D.) Unruh of Germany; Tina (Mrs. David J.) Friesen of Dinuba; Sarah (Mrs. Dan E.) Ens of Garden City, Kan.; Helen of Dinuba; and Susie of Dinuba. One daughter. Elizabeth, preceded him in death.

Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and three sisters— Mrs. Barbara Heinrich of Reedley; Mrs. Elizabeth Thiesen of Dinuba; and Mrs. Tina Klippenstein of Dinuba.