Ruth E. Harms, 82, Council Bluffs
Ruth Evelyn Harms, age 82 of Council Bluffs, formerly of Glenwood, died at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs on Saturday, July 18, 2009, with her daughter Barbara by her side. Memorial services were held Sunday, July 26, 2009, at the Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs with private interment in the Martin Chapel Cemetery in rural Pacific Junction. Chaplain Jon Hanson officiated.
One of three children of Ralph Biggs and Regina (Raasch) Biggs, she was born near Bridgewater on Jan. 25, 1927. Her childhood years were spent in Anita where she graduated from high school. She moved to Omaha, where she worked in the business office for Swift & Company, a local meat packing facility.
She married Donald Willis Harms of Hollinger, Neb., in Omaha on June 6, 1948. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Barbara Rae. They continued to live in Omaha until Swift moved a portion of their processing facility to Glenwood. The couple moved to Glenwood in 1969 and she continued working for Swift until her retirement. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Glenwood. She enjoyed walking, working crossword puzzles, flower gardening and volunteer work. Her greatest enjoyment was the time she spent with her family.
She and her husband had been married nearly 35 years at the time of his death, at age 60, on June 3, 1983. Mrs. Harms continued to live in their Glenwood home and enjoy activities in her church and community. In 1998, she moved to a home she purchased in the Risen Son Christian Village near Council Bluffs. She eventually moved into the assisted living apartments at Risen Son.
In addition to her husband Donald, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother Wayne Biggs, and sister Norma Miller. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Million and husband Jim of Bonner Springs, Kan.; two grandsons; two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A Memorial Fund has been established. Hertz Funeral Home of Glenwood was in charge of arrangements.