Friday 29th March 2024

lester-harms

Lester William Harms, 97, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sweet Springs, MO, with Pastor Alan Mueller officiating. Visitation will be held preceding the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military rites will be in Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. The family suggests memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.

He was born on February 23, 1926, in rural Concordia to Rudolph and Emilie Lovercamp Harms.  He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran serving at Ft. Monroe Virginia from 1945-1946.

On August 27, 1948, Lester married Louise Beasley of Brighton, IL and they lived their 74 years of married life together in the Sweet Springs area.

Lester worked for the Emma Co-op Elevator for 40 years and retired as assistant manager.  After retirement, he worked part time for 2 farmers for 28 years.  He was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, its LLL Men’s Club and served in various roles but will be most remembered for his time as treasurer.  He also served the Sweet Springs community as mayor, alderman, and other volunteer/service roles.  Lester was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Louise, 3 children: “the oldest” Kathy Taylor of Sumner, TX, “the youngest” Jim Harms of Columbia, and “Sandy” Boehmer of Concordia and their outlaw spouses (Bill Taylor, Debbie Harms, and Allen Boehmer), 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and a great-great- grandson due in September.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, grandson, Chad Taylor, one sister, Irene Lohman and 3 brothers, Raymond, Alfred, and Leonard Harms.

Lester will be remembered and missed for all the love he shared with his friends and family.