OBITUARY

Dora Torbeck Harms

Dora Torbeck Harms, daughter of Reiner and Christena (Dirks) Torbeck was born near Johnson, Nebraska on December 17, 1896. She was baptized in the Methodist Church on May 16, 1897 by Pastor H. A. Sickmann.

She attended St. John Lutheran Church (also known as the Old Stone Church) and the rural school near her home. At the age of 12 years Dora moved to Johnson with her parents and sister Anna. There she was confirmed by Pastor D. F. Didlaukies at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on March 31, 1912.

On January 26, 1919 Dora and Otto Harms of Auburn, Nebraska, were married by Pastor J. Hansen. Three children were born to this marriage.

They made their first home on a farm east of Johnson. In 1921 they moved to their farm northwest of Byron where they lived for 28 years before moving to Deshler in 1949. They were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in Chandler, Arizona in 1969.

Dora passed away at Parkview Haven in Deshler on June 26, 1982 at the age of 85 years, 6 months and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her husband Otto on January 2, 1975, also by four brothers, John, Fred, Herman and Dick Torbeck and by four sisters, Theda Marquart, Hilka Malpert, Christena Schleufer and Augusta Schleufer and one son-in-law, Raymond Fintel.

Surviving are her son Donald and wife Lorna of Bryon, two daughters, Mrs. Lois Fintel of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Opal Reinke and husband Julius of Chester, 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Emma Oestmann and Mrs. Anna Kienker of Johnson and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon June 29 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler with Pastor James Moll officiating. The St. Peter Male Chorus sang, "My Jesus I Love Thee." Congregational hymns were "What a Friend We Have In Jesus," and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." Serving as casket bearers were grandsons, Allan Fintel, Glenn and Eugene Reinke, Harold and Roger Harms and Donald Krasny.

Interment was in Deshler City Cemetery.

Card Of Thanks

Our Sincere Thanks to all relatives, friends and neighbors for expressions of sympathy, sent cards, flowers, memorials, food and other acts of kindness shown us during the illness and death of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A special thanks to Pastors Moll and Friedmeir for their comforting messages, visits, and prayers, Male Choir rendition and the Ladies for serving the lunch. Also a special thanks to Parkview Haven and all the Staff for their wonderful care during her 2 years there. We are truly grateful. God Bless each of you. - Mrs. Lois Fintel, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Reinke, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Harms, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

OBITUARY

Otto Fred William Harms

Otto Fredrick William Harms, son of Conrad and Johanna Erbst Harms, was born on a farm near Auburn, Nebraska on June 22, 1895. He was one of eleven children.
He was baptized on July 21, 1895, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, also known as the Hickory Grove Church, near Auburn, by Pastor Theodore Streng. He was confirmed at the same church on April 18, 1909, also by Pastor Streng.
Mr. Harms received his education in the Grand Prairie rural school near his home.
On January 26, 1919, he was married to Dora Torbeck by Pastor J. Hansen at Johnson, Nebraska. Three children were born to this marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Harms made their first home on a farm near Johnson. In 1922, they moved to their farm southwest of Deshler and lived there for 27 years. For the past 26 years they made their home in Deshler. They were privileged to observe their golden wedding anniversary in Chandler, Arizona, in 1969.
Mr. Harms passed away at the Thayer County Memorial Hospital in Hebron on January 2, 1975, at the age of 79 years, 6 months and 11 days.
Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother, five sisters and one son-in-law, Raymond Fintel.
Survivors are his wife, Dora, of Deshler; two daughters, Mrs. Lois Fintel of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and Opal and husband, Julius Reinke, of Chester; one son, Donald, and wife, Laura, of Bryon; 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; three brothers, Adolph and Walter of Auburn, and Conrad of Colorado Springs, Colorado one sister, Mrs. Helen Mullally of Los Angeles, California; and other relatives and many friends.
The funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at St. Peter Lutheran Church. The Reverend John D. Kovac, officiated. His sermon theme, "Why God Takes From Us Our Aged Christians" was based on Deuteronomy 6.5:6. The congregational hymns were "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" and "Jerusalem Thou City Fair and High", St. Peter Male Chorus sang "My Jesus I Love Thee".
Serving as casket bearers were Don Kzany, Murray Fintel, Glenn Reinke, Edgar Harris, Harold Harms and Eugene Reinke. Burial was made in the Deshler City Cemetery.

Ahrendts Funeral Home of Deshler was in charge of arrangements.

Deshler Rustler
Wednesday

January 8, 1975