Harms, Rita M. 1922-2009

HARMS, BENDER, HUCKLE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/4/2009 at 12:51:42

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, May 4, 2009

Rita M. Harms, 87, of Le Mars, died Saturday, May 2, 2009, at The Abbey of Le Mars.

Rita Marcella Harms was born Jan. 31, 1922 in rural Le Mars, Iowa, the daughter of Aloysius and Katherine (Bender) Huckle. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. Rita attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Le Mars, graduating in 1940. Prior to her marriage she cared for her father after her mother passed away at a young age.

On Dec. 3, 1947, Rita and Alfred George Harms were united in marriage at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The couple made their home in Le Mars. Rita worked for Le Mars Community Schools, first as a cook at Kluckhohn Elementary for five years and later as a school bus driver for 17 years. She retired April 1, 1992. Four days later her husband Alfred died.

Rita was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. She was a member of the guild and a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas for more than 50 years.

Rita was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and enjoyed caring for her house plants, flower arranging, and crocheting.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses Dennis and Tammy Harms of Omaha, Neb., JoAnn and Walt Schwebach of Alton, Allen and Beth Harms of Sioux City, Betty and Dale Hollander of Ames, Keith and Stacy Harms of Runnells and Nancy and Kent Werner of Pleasant Hill; grandchildren Jennifer and Jamie Butenhoff of Ames, Chad and Pam Schwebach of Monroe, Neb., Eric and Stephanie Schwebach of Alton, Courtney Harms and her fiancé Neal Morgan of San Antonio, Texas, Emily and Andy Karmazin of Omaha, Neb., Rachel Harms of Omaha, Neb.; great-grandchildren Zachary, Erika and Kaylee Butenhoff, Jessica, Katie and Logan Schwebach, Blake and Brycelyn Schwebach; a brother, Martin and Lucille Huckle of Le Mars; a sister-in-law Hilda Harms of Le Mars; a sister-in-law Baulah Harms of Hawarden; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alfred; a granddaughter Nikki Harms; a brother William "Duke" Huckle, and a sister and brother-in-law Eva and Gene Boge.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. The Rev. James Tigges will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. today (Monday) at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. A rosary service led by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas will take place at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural prayer service is set for 7 p.m. Monday. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Tuesday.