Kenneth W. Harms age 88 of George, IA died Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in George.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday January 8, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of George, IA with Pastor Steve May officiating. Burial will follow.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 7, 2014 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George.
There is an online registry and obituary at www.jurrensfuneralhome.com
Kenneth Winfred Harms, the son of Bruno B. and Anna (Meyerhof) Harms, was born July 7, 1925 on a farm north of George, IA where he lived for 65 years. He attended Liberal Township country school and George Public High School, where he graduated in 1943.
On June 8, 1946 he married Darlene DeNeui. They lived on the farm until he retired. During that time, he received an award for the farm remaining in the Harms family for 100 years. In 1990 Darlene and Kenneth moved to George. Besides farming, he built and operated two car washes, one in George and the other in Rock Rapids. He was very active in Farm Bureau and served in several officer positions including President. He also worked for the ASC Office for years measuring land for the farm programs. He was recognized by the Farm Service Agency for serving thirty-five years of government service, including serving on the Lyon County FSA Committee for several years. He was a member of the George Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Kiwanis Club. Kenneth also served as a 4-H leader and thoroughly enjoyed working with youth.
In 1946 he became a Christian and joined Central Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school. In 1996, he joined First Baptist Church where he served as the treasurer, a member of the Mission Board, and a member of the HomeBuilders group.
He enjoyed all types of sports and always attended events his children and grandchildren participated in. Some of his memorable highlights included trips south to Texas and Arizona every winter and trips to Hawaii and to the Bahamas. They also enjoyed numerous trips visiting their children and families who lived in five states.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 66 years, Darlene Mae Harms, of George IA; their children, Donna Martin-Howell (Joe) of Las Cruces, NM; Dean Harms (Eileen) of Grand Island, NE; Kay Stubbe (Paul) of Brandon, SD; Kent Harms (Paula) of George, IA; Brent Harms (Cathy) of Apple Valley, MN; eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; 3 sister-in-laws and 2 brother-in-laws, Lavina (Ted Harms) Lichtenberg of George, IA; Dorie (Art) DeNeui of Albert Lea MN; Cliff DeNeui of Topeka, KS; Mickey and Darrell Arneson of Spirit Lake IA.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers George, Jack, Ted, and Don; five sisters, Rose, Gertrude, Frances, Jane and Viola.
