Elmer A. Harms

Elmer A. Harms, age 89, of Litchfield, MN, formerly of Milbank, SD, died on Friday, September 7, 2012, at his home in Litchfield, MN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Valley Baptist Church in Milbank, South Dakota, officiated by Pastor Dennis Webber. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Pallbearers will be grandchildren Michael, Scott and Tim Harms, and great grandchildren Ryan, Brent and Cam Harms. Music provided by Sherry DeBoer and Barbara Bear. Interment will be in the Corona Baptist Cemetery. Elmer Alfred Harms was born June 17, 1923 at rural Corona, South Dakota, to parents Ibling and Mary (Wiese) Harms. At the age of 17 he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and was baptized by immersion the same year. He then joined the Corona Baptist Church. Elmer attended school in Garfield #3 Roberts Co. and later completed courses through American Correspondence Schools. In 1945 he was united in marriage to Dorothy DeBoer. They farmed in rural Corona until 1951, when they moved to Sioux Falls, S.D. where Elmer worked at Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. and for Package Delivery. In 1956 they moved back to Corona where he purchased a grain and livestock line. They later moved to Milbank, where he worked as bookkeeper for McGowan Lumber Co. in Milbank, until he retired in 1976, when his health failed. Elmer was a gentle caring person. He loved the Lord and his family. He enjoyed woodworking and reading. Mr. Harms was a loyal supporter of the churches to which he belonged. While at Corona Baptist, Trinity Baptist in Sioux Falls and Valley Baptist, Milbank, he served as trustee, church treasurer, Sunday School treasurer and usher. In 2010, Elmer and Dorothy moved to a Home for Seniors in Litchfield, MN to be near family. At the time of his death he was a member of the Valley Baptist Church in Milbank. Since making his home in Litchfield, he attended the Church of the Nazarene. Elmer is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son Bob (and Debbi); grandsons, Michael, Scott and Tim; 3 great grandchildren, Ryan, Brent and Cam; great great grandson Brayden; and sisters, Sylvia Binde and Arlene (and Aaron) Knaus. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Harvey, George and Marly; and brother-in-law Melvin Binde. Because of Elmer's keen interest of his son Bob's work and efforts with the Lions Hearing Foundation, memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation.Previous Events Visitation Wednesday, September 12, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Valley Baptist Church 409 West 6th Avenue Milbank, SD Visitation Wednesday, September 12, 2012 2:00 PM Valley Baptist Church 409 West 6th Avenue Milbank, SD