Harms, John L. 1920-2011

HARMS, DEBERG, GRUSH

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/30/2011 at 05:19:23

John L. Harms
(January 19, 1920 - September 23, 2011)
Boyden: John "Johnny" L. Harms age 91 of Boyden, IA died Friday morning, September 23, 2011 at his residence in Boyden, IA.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26th at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA with Pastor Bryan Anderson, officiating.
Burial will be in the Holman Township Cemetery at Sibley, IA.
John Lorence Harms was born on January 19, 1920 to John G. and Ora De Berg Harms in Adrian, MN. When Johnny was 2 ½ years old, his mother passed away. Johnny was raised through High School by his paternal grandmother, while his older sister, Gertrude went into foster care in Sibley, IA. Johnny graduated from Little Rock High School in 1939, joined the National Guard, and moved to Sibley, IA for work. In February of 1941, the Sibley National Guard was mobilized. Johnny went to Camp Claiborne, LA for Basic Training, and was there until the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was then moved to Fort Dix, NJ. Johnny had fallen in love with LaVaughn Grush of Sibley, and they were married at Fort Dix in February 1942. The morning after the wedding, Johnny reported to the base for immediate deployment. Johnny was sent overseas to serve in the European Theatre. During the war, Johnny was a POW for a short time, but escaped through German lines to help guide Allied Troops to a daring rescue of the nurses in his unit. While Johnny was in England, LaVaughn gave birth to their first son, John Kenwood (Kenny). When World War II ended, he returned to Sibley and was reunited with his wife and son. In 1946, they welcomed son, Doug and in 1948 another son, Steve joined the family. Johnny served as Clerk of Court for Osceola County, and in 1968 they moved to Ankeny, IA where Johnny worked as Assistant State Auditor, auditing County Court Houses for the next 14 years until retiring in 1982. Johnny cared for LaVaughn until her passing in 2003. Johnny moved to Boyden, IA after finding the "second love of his life," Frances De Berg. They were married in 2004, and Johnny became the "Bonus Dad" to nine more children: Glenn De Berg of Britt, IA; Marlys (Stan) Korthals of Boyden, IA; Helen Kaye (Les) Broek of Sioux Falls, SD; Arlyn (Kris) De Berg of Phoenix, AZ; Ardell (Kris) De Berg of Vergas, MN; Mary Jane (Larry) Klaahsen of Sioux Falls; Colleen (Ardell) Niemeyer of Boyden; Marilyn (Lem) Maurer of Sioux Falls; and Caroline (Shaun) Hatfield of Lewiston, ID.
Left to cherish Johnny's memory are his wife, Frances Harms of Boyden; his sons, Doug (Jeanette) Harms of Johnston, IA; Steve (Judy) Harms of Slayton, MN; his nine grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear sister, Gertrude Behrens of Buffalo, MN. He was preceded in death by LaVaughn and his oldest son, Kenny.
Source: Jurrens Funeral Home, Rock Rapids, Ia., obit.