Dwayne Rayburn Harms 1936 - 2005

BRADEN, HARMS, BODE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-volunteer (email)
Date: 7/5/2017 at 09:02:29

Sioux City Journal
26 March 2005

BLENCOE, Iowa -- Dwayne Rayburn Harms, 69, of Blencoe passed from this life suddenly Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Iowa.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Blencoe United Church of Christ, with the Rev. John Noer officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church. There will be a military flag presentation conducted by American Legion Stevens Kelley Post 665. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Dwayne was born March 14, 1936, in Sioux City, to John and Esther (Braden) Harms. He grew up in Blencoe and was owner and operator of Harms Phillips 66 Service Station. He served as a volunteer fire chief in Blencoe for several years and taught fire certification at Western Iowa Tech Community College. He also was a bus driver for West Monona Community School. He attended Western Iowa Tech Community College.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961, as a master truck mechanic stationed in Korea.

He married Phyllis Bode in 1958. To this union three daughters were born. He married Doris Gersema Schmitt on Aug. 24, 1986, at Sullivan's Island, S.C. They resided in Atlanta, Ga., and the Carolinas for 20 years before moving back to Blencoe in June 2004.

He enjoyed life through camping, cooking, reading, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. He looked forward to his trips to Foster's every afternoon for coffee with friends. He was very happy to return to his home in Blencoe. He gave the gift of life through organ donation. He was very loved and will be missed by many family and friends.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Doris of Blencoe; three daughters, Pam McDermott of Rochester, N.Y., Susan Barnard and her fiance, John Pytleski of Estherville, Iowa, and Carolyn and Derek Wibe of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three sons, Jeremy Gersema and his wife, Kristi of Heber City, Utah, Michael Gersema of Duluth, Ga., and Coley Harms of Fort Benning, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Thomas McDermott, Ian, Erin and Allison Barnard, Lauren and Dean Wibe and Justin Gersema; his twin brother and great friend, Dwight Harms of Onawa, Iowa; a sister, Joanne Scarpella-Brunson of Fort Collins, Colo.; his adopted family, the Ankerstjernes of Onawa; and his beloved dog, Mitsy.

He was preceded in death by his parents.