Harms, Erwin J. 1923-2009

HARMS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/28/2009 at 12:19:29

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel , April 28, 2009

Erwin Harms, 85, of Le Mars, died Monday, April 27, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars surrounded by his family.

Erwin J. Harms was born May 7, 1923 in rural Plymouth County, the son of Meta Harms. Erwin was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Le Mars. He was raised on a farm in Grant Township and attended country school. Following school, Erwin worked for Carl Ahrendt for several years. He served his country in the United States Army from Feb. 16, 1946 until Feb. 19, 1947. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to Iowa and farmed in Grant Township.

Erwin was united in marriage to Anna Johnson Dec. 8, 1944, at the First Presbyterian Church, near Hinton. Erwin farmed until the late 1990s. In March 1999, Erwin moved to the Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars. His wife, Anna, died Feb. 13, 2000.

Erwin was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and had served many positions within the church through the years. He enjoyed going fishing when he could, but his greatest enjoyment was his farm. He loved the land and tending to his livestock. Erwin was very dependable and had a tremendous skill to fix anything or adapt equipment to his use.

Survivors include a daughter, Karen Harms of Hinton; three grandchildren, Dean Detloff and his wife Moriah of Le Mars, Renea Krueger and her husband Travis of Waverly, and Lance Detloff and his wife Tina of Le Mars; five great-grandchildren, Katherine Detloff, Tanner Krueger, Kaden Detloff, Rebecca Detloff, and Paul Detloff; a half-brother, Alvin Miller of Le Mars; two half-sisters, Annie Andresen and her husband Ray of Akron and Helen Eilers of Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

Erwin was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter in infancy; three half-brothers, Herman, Leonard, and Virgil Miller; and a half sister, Doreta Vander Vegte.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township, rural Le Mars, with the Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Interment will be in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery with military honors provided by the Heeren-McHale-Wilken American Legion Post #724 of Brunsville. Visitation with the family present will be after 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitations will continue Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Dean Detloff, Lance Detloff, Travis Krueger, Ron Ludwigs, Jeff Miller, and Troy Miller. Honorary pall bearers will be his great-grandchildren, Katherine Detloff, Tanner Krueger, Kaden Detloff, Rebecca Detloff, and Paul Detloff.