Esther A. Ratzlaff Harms
Esther A. Ratzlaff Harms, 84, went to be with her Lord on
Sunday (May 13, 2007) at Newton Presbyterian Manor.
She was born Nov. 9, 1922, to Henry and Anna Schrag Ratzlaff.
They preceded her in death. She married Alvin Harms on Aug. 18, 1943, at First
Mennonite Church in Newton. He preceded her in death in 2004.
After graduating from Newton High School, Esther taught in a
one-room school for two and a half years in Elbing and Newton.
For the first two years of their married life, Esther and
Alvin lived in Nebraska, where Alvin was in Civilian Public Service. They then
moved to Alvin's parents' farm near Whitewater and farmed for several years.
After moving to Newton, Esther worked as a bookkeeper for her husband's
business, Harms Electric.
She was a charter member of Grace Community Church. She was
active with the Gideons and jail ministries in Harvey County. She loved to be
with people and entertain guests in her home. They enjoyed traveling and
camping.
Survivors include son Larry and Leota Harms of Newton; three
grandchildren, Lindley and Kayla Harms of Mansfield, Mo., LaVonne and Ken
Mulllins of Manchester, N.H., and Laura and Brad Brooks of Fort Collins, Colo.;
10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Martha Meney of Williamsburg, Ky.
She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Arnie,
Irvin and Harry, and one sister, Wilma.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at
Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton with family greeting friends from 6 to
8 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Grace
Community Church with Pastor Dave Reimer officiating.
Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with Gideon's International
in care of the funeral home.
