Harms, Donald M. 1934-2005

HARMS, ORBAN, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/11/2008 at 14:46:17

LE MARS, Iowa - Donald M. Harms, 70, of Le Mars passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005 at the Orange City Hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars with the Rev. James Tigges officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. today, at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with a 4 p.m. Parish Rosary followed by a 7:30 p.m. Scriptural Wake service. Visitation will continue at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to service time.

Donald Maurice Harms was born April 8, 1934, the son of Maurice and Mayme (Orban) Harms on the family farm in rural Plymouth County, Iowa. He attended school in Le Mars. As a young man, Don began driving truck with his father, hauling livestock and grain. Don was united in marriage to Marlys Campbell on June 7, 1955 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars.

Don later began trucking for himself hauling grain, gas, propane, and farm chemicals. In the early 1980s, he began hauling for Terra Chemical in Sioux City until his retirement in 2000. During his retirement years Don enjoyed driving school bus in Le Mars.

Family has always been very important to Don. He loved his grandchildren dearly and enjoyed the many family gatherings with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During the last few years, Don and his sons and sons-in-law enjoyed their annual fishing trip in June to Minnesota. Don had many interests that included fishing, playing cards, antique tractors, and talking about trucks.

Don was a lifetime member of St. James Catholic Church and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Arie 1381 of Le Mars.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Marlys of Le Mars; eight children, Lynn and Dave Ruba of Remsen, Iowa, Mary and Ron Morris of Le Mars, Rose and Bob Ruba of Webster City, Iowa, Gene and Chris Harms of Le Mars, Jim and Amy Harms of Remsen, Julie and Barry Sitzmann of Le Mars, Larry and Betty Harms of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Doug Harms and Ardis Harms of Le Mars; 27 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; his stepmother, Helen Harms of Le Mars; several brothers and sisters, Eddward and Kay Harms of Wichita, Kan., Elaine and Bob Grosenheider of Le Mars, Merlin and Sue Huls of Akron, Iowa, Bev and Max Baker of Greeley, Colo., Joanne Harms of Le Mars, Ken Harms of Le Mars, and Patty and Dave Hill of Le Mars; a sister-in-law, Pat Harms of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Mayme (Orban) Harms; three brothers, Arnie Harms, Jerry Anderson, and Alfred Harms in infancy; and two sisters, Lois Hagert and Ardis Harms in infancy.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Chris Frerichs, Justin Frerichs, Jeremy Morris, Joe Morris, Jon Ruba, Dan Ruba, B.J. Sitzmann, and Tyler Sitzmann. Honorary pallbearers will be Nick Frerichs, Joshua Schiltz, Adam Harms, Jordan Sitzmann, Cody Harms, Devon Harms, and Michael Harms.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Feb. 11, 2005--part of the D. Easton Obituary Collection