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Harms, Maria Nickel (1865-1944)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Nov 28 p. 15
Birth date: 1865 Jul 28
text of obituary:
Frau Maria Nickel Harms, Tochter von Peter und Anna Harms Nickel, ward am 28. Juli, 1865, in Michalin, Rußland geboren und starb am 8. November, 1944, im Alter von 79 J. 3 M. und 11 Tagen. 1874 kam sie mit Eltern nach Kansas, 10 Meilen Ost von Newton. Mit 16 Jahren ward sie auf ihren Glauben von Aelt. John Schroeder getauft und ward und blieb treues Glied der Gnadenberg Mennonitengemeinde. Am 17. April, 1887, heiratete sie Gerhard N. Harms. Es wurden ihnen 15 Kinder geboren, von welchen 7 klein starben. Es überleben sie, ihre betagter Gatte, Aeltester G. N. Harms, und folgende Kinder mit Angehörigen: Ernst, Wichita, Kansas; Frl. Laura, Newton; Schwester Theodosia, Bethel Diakonissen-Hospital, Newton; Hannah, Frau Fred Klassen, Whitewater, Kansas; Gerhard, Whitewater; Gertrude, Frau Jacob Hooge, Plum Coulee, Manitoba; und Frl. Ruth, daheim; dazu 10 Enkel und 1 Urenkel, auch 2 Schwestern; Frau A. S. Voth, Newton; und Frau Isaac Penner, Whitewater; 2 Brüder: Gerhard P. Nickel, Peter P. Nickel und eine Schwester, Frau John G. Schmidt, sind ihr im Tode vorangegangen. Ihres war ein Leben der Hingabe an die Familie und die Kirche. Ihre standhafte und ruhige Glaubenstreue bleiben eine Quelle der Stärke und Inspiration für alle, die das Vorrecht hatten sie zu kennen. Sie ist abgeschieden um bei denen zu sein, deren Kleider weiß gewaschen sind im Blute des Lammes. Beim Begräbnis am 11. November dienten die folgenden: H. J. Dyck am Hause; in der Gnadenberg Kirche: J. E. Entz, Einleitung; J. J. Voth, Predigt; und am Grab: A. J. Dirks und J. J. Voth; und ein Männerquartett und ein Trio von Swestern [sic Schwestern] vom Hospital sangen passende Lieder.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Nov 16 p. 3
text of obituary:
MRS. MARIA HARMS
Mrs. Maria Nickel Harms, daughter of Peter and Anna Harms Nickel, was born on July 28, 1865 in Russia, in the village of Michelin and departed this life on November 8, 1944, at the age of 79 years, 3 months, and 11 days.
At the age of 9 years she came to Kansas with her parents and with them made her home in Harvey county east of Newton.
At the age of 16 years she was baptized by Elder John Schroeder upon the confession of her faith in the Lord Jesus as her personal Saviour, and received into the Gnadenberg church where she remained a faithful and devoted member until her death.
She was married to Gerhard N. Harms on April 17, 1887. Together they have lived a life of mutual love and happiness for over 57 years. She became the mother of 15 children of whom 7 have preceded her in death, all of them having died in infancy or early childhood.
She leaves her bereaved husband, Rev. G. N. Harms, 8 children, 3 sons-in-law and 2 daughters-in-law. They are Ernest and wife of Wichita; Laura of Newton; Sister Theodosia of Bethel Deaconess Hospital, Newton; Hannah and her husband, Fred Klassen, Whitewater; Gerhard and wife of Whitewater; Marie and her husband, William Harms, Whitewater; Gertrude and her husband Jacob Hooge, Plum Coulee, Manitoba, Canada; and Ruth of the home.
There are also 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and 2 sisters, Katie, Mrs. A. S. Voth, Newton; and Margaret, Mrs. Isac Penner, Whitewater. Two brothers Gerhard P. Nickel and Peter P. Nickel and one sister Mrs. John G. Schmidt have preceded her in death.
She lived a life of devoted service to her family and to the church. Her steadfast and quiet faith remains a source of strength and inspiration to all who were privileged to know her. She has gone to her heavenly home to be among those who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, Nov. 11. At the services at the home at 1:30 a male quartet from the church sang and Rev. H. J. Dyck delivered a short message.
At the Gnadenberg church at 2:30 Rev. J. E. Entz made the introduction with Scripture reading and prayer, while Rev. J. J. Voth, North Newton, preached the funeral sermon. Special music was given by the male quartet and a Sisters' trio from the Bethel Deaconess hospital.
At the graveside the male quartet sang again. Rev. A. J. Dirks of Halstead led in prayer while Rev. J. J. Voth read the Scripture and led the committal service.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Nov 16 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— Mrs. Maria M. Harms, 79, wife of the aged Rev. G. N. Harms of near Whitewater, died Wednesday morning Nov. 8, at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Harms had come to the Gnadenberg community 70 years ago, grew to young womanhood there, and later ably assisted her husband during his long service as minister of the Gnadenberg church. The large funeral took place at this church at 2:30 Saturday afternoon at which Rev. J. J. Voth of North Newton officiated. He was assisted in the services by Rev. J. E. Entz. A complete account of Mrs. harms' life appears elsewhere in this issue.
The Mennonite obituary: 1944 Nov 21 p. 12