Louise Harms

Celebration of Life Services for Louise Harms will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox, Nebraska with Pastor Nathan Abel officiating. Private family burial will be held prior to the service in the Wilcox Cemetery.

Clara "Louise" Harms, 97 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Wilcox), passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Chrisoma West in Holdrege. She was born on January 13, 1922 on a farm west of Ragan in Harlan County, Nebraska, the third of seven children born to William and Ruth (Black) Bryan. She received her primary education at District #50 through the eighth grade and then graduated from Ragan High School with the class of 1939. Following her education, she taught in rural schools prior to her marriage.

On October 25, 1941, she was united in marriage to William E. "Bill" Harms in North Platte, Nebraska at the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They lived on a farm northeast of Huntley, Nebraska, until 1947, when they moved to their farm south of Wilcox. They were blessed with five children: Joan, William, Jeanne, Shirley and Brent.

Bill and Louise lived on the farm until 1976, when they built a new home in Wilcox. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill on September 15, 2006.

Throughout the years, Louise substituted as an aide at the Wilcox Public School, and served in the kitchen for 22 years. Louise enjoyed crafts, and she and Bill loved attending the Wilcox craft show together, in addition to their annual craft show in their home.

She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox, where she served in many capacities. Louise loved spending time with her family and especially enjoyed creating memories with her children and grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Bill; Louise was preceded in death by one daughter, Joan Stratman; one son-in-law, Ron Lush; two brothers: George Bryan and his wife, Isla; and Ward Bryan; one sister, Thelma Ridenour and her husband, Charles; sisters-in-law: Gertrude Bryan; Dorothy Woollen and her husband, Bill; brothers-in-law: Alvin "Tony" Harms and his wife, Virginia; Raymond Harms and his wife, Gracia; Emil Harms and his wife, Mary Jo; Albert Harms; and LeRoy Sundquist.

Louise leaves to celebrate her life; her four children:  Dr. William "Bill" Harms and his wife, Jeannie of Estes Park, Colorado; Jeanne Ortgiesen and her husband, Eugene "Butch" of Kearney, Nebraska; Shirley Lush of Wilcox; Brent Harms and his wife, Debbie of Wilcox; son-in-law, Roger Stratman of Wilcox; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Wilma Brummer and her husband, Allen "Hap" of Wilcox; Donna Guthrie and her husband, Cecil of Holdrege; one brother, Chet Bryan of Turlock, California; sister-in-laws:  Dora Mae Sundquist of Holdrege; Evalyn Harms of Holdrege; and Gloria Bryan of Holdrege; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox.

A memorial has been established in Louise's honor and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox is in charge of the arrangements.