Martha Harms
Obituary
NORTH NEWTON — Martha Harms, 102, died on Monday (April 2,
2012) at Kidron Bethel Retirement Services Inc. in North Newton.
She was born to John H. and Margaret (Kliewer) Harms in
Cordell, Okla. She was one of 10 children, three sisters, four brothers and two
infant siblings.
Martha was a 1930 graduate of Bethel College. She obtained a
degree in fine arts at the University of Oklahoma. She later received a
master’s degree from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She was a
high school teacher for 10 years and then taught for four years at Oklahoma
Baptist University. She left teaching and became an optical dispenser for two
optometrists in Wichita. Her brother, Dr. Edwin M. Harms, was one of the optometrists
she worked with.
After retirement, she moved to Newton and joined Bethel
College Mennonite Church. She was an avid student and audited a number of
college classes. She learned Russian and became adept in creative writing.
In retirement, she loved to travel. She made three trips to
The Soviet Union and two trips to China during the Cold War. She visited 48
states, including Alaska.
In 1990, she moved to Kidron Bethel, where she lived until
her death.
She is survived by one brother, Harold Harms in Ruston, La.,
and varied nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant
siblings; three sisters; and four brothers.
A graveside committal service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at
Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. at Bethel College
Mennonite Church, following the committal. There will not be a visitation.
A memorial has been set up for Kidron Bethel Retirement
Services and Bethel College Mennonite Church, in care of Petersen Funeral Home
of Newton. Visit www.petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
