HARMS, Geraldine Faye (Van Dyke) 1940-2009

HARMS, VAN DYKE, CLARK

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/25/2009 at 16:17:16

Geraldine “Geri” Harms, age 68 of Milford, Iowa, formerly of Little Rock died Friday, January 16, 2009 at the Dougherty Hospice House of Avera-McKennan in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral service was held Monday, January 19, 2009 at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, Iowa, with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock.

Geraldine “Geri” Faye Harms was born June 7, 1940 in Sibley, Iowa, the daughter of Sievert and Genevieve (Clark) Van Dyke. She was raised near Little Rock and attended country school. She graduated from Little Rock High School in 1958.

She was united in marriage to Eugene “Gene” Harms on June 24, 1960 at the Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. The couple lived in Little Rock until the early 70’s. They lived in Hartley, Iowa., Lu Verne, Iowa., and Ellsworth, Minnesota. before moving back to Little Rock. In 2003, they retired and moved to Milford, Iowa.

Geri worked most of her life in a café setting. In her working years, her life centered around her duties at the local café. She enjoyed dancing with Gene in the early years, camping, spending time with her grandkids, old time music and visiting with family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She was always very thoughtful, sending cards to family and friends on holidays and special occasions.

On January 3 of this year, Geri fell into a coma at Avera-McKennan in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She passed away peacefully this past Friday, January 16th at the Dougherty Hospice House.

She is survived by her husband, Gene Harms of Milford, Iowa; three children, Curt (wife, Lori) Harms of Lake Park, Iowa (children Jeremy & Jessica), Troy (wife, Ann) Harms of Heron Lake, Minnesota (children Logan & Chace) and Rhonda (husband, Sam) Otten of Spink, South Dakota (children Skylar, Kainan, Ashton), one sister, Myrna Willemssen of Sibley, Iowa; Sister-in-law Phyllis Kruger (husband, Don) of Sibley, Iowa; Merle Harms (wife, Lois) of Story City, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Sievert and Genevieve Van Dyke; and step-mother, Evelyn (Miller) Van Dyke.

(Jurrens Funeral Home obituary)