Harms, Jacob B. (1889-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 May 14 p. 11

Birth date: 1889 Jul 3

text of obituary:

JACOB B. HARMS

Jacob B. Harms, son of Bernhard and Margaretha Wall Harms, was born in the Molotschna Colony in South Russia on July 3, 1889. When his parents and family came to America in 1910, he and his older brother remained in Russia where he served in forestry work for the government. He was released from this work due to an injury, and soon thereafter made his way to America, arriving in Hillsboro, Kan. on Oct. 7, 1912.

On March 26, 1914, he married Helena Klaassen and together they shared more than 55 years of companionship and love. Just a few days after his marriage, and after his brother was tragically killed, Jacob was convicted about his lost condition before God. He received Christ as Savior, was baptized and received into the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church on June 12, 1914.

On Nov. 19, 1921, a son, Wesley, came into the home. God's grace enabled them to celebrate the silver and golden wedding anniversaries in 1939 and 1964.

Jacob served for 13 years as custodian for the Hillsboro Grade and High Schools and seven years at the Marion County Court House. With the exception of relatively short stays in Albuquerque, N. M. and Corvallis, Ore. he and his wife spent their entire married life in the Hillsboro-Marion area. They retired in 1955, moved into their own home in Hillsboro, and remained there until July 30, 1969 when they became residents of the Salem Home for the Aged.

The last dozen years of their life have been marked by considerable pain and suffering, but the Lord's grace was repeatedly evident.

Father suffered a severe heart attack in 1957, from which he really never recovered. He was hospitalized on a number of occasions, submitted to several surgeries, but was always grateful for a measure of recovery so that he could return home. He passed away quietly early Monday morning, Feb. 23, 1970, having reached the age of 80 years, seven months, and [remainder of sentence missing in original]

Preceding him in death were his parents, five brothers and four sisters. Surviving are his wife, Helena, one son and family, Wesley and Dorothy Harms of Corvallis, Oregon, along with three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, three sisters, Agnes harms of Dundee, Ill., Mrs. Margaret Martin of Banning, Calif., and Mrs. Edmond Scharping of Hillsboro, as well as many other relatives and friends. The family.