| Mildred E. Harms |
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| Written by provided to Sentinel-Tribune |
| Wednesday, 23 May 2012 10:59 |
 Mildred "Gibbie" Harms was born on July 1, 1919, to Hester and Arthur Gibbs in Bayard, Nebraska. She had three adult brothers: Lloyd, Russell, and Eddie, and one sister, Gladys (who died before Gibbie's birth). She graduated from Bayard High School in 1937 and then moved to Denver, Colorado, to go to business school. She worked at several businesses, sang in a Lutheran A Capella choir, and met her future husband, Robert R. Harms, in 1941, while he was stationed at Lowry Airbase in Denver. Gibbie drove by herself in Bob's car all the way to Florida where Bob was stationed so that they could marry on Sept 29, 1942, in Miami Beach, FL. They lived in over 20 locations during the war, and later settled in Bob's hometown, Bowling Green, Ohio. They had two children Judy and Rob. Bob took advantage of the GI bill to go to law school at Denver University. While Bob attended school, Gibbie became the mayor of Pioneer Village, a village of Quonset huts inhabited by GI bill families. After Bob graduated, the family returned to Bowling Green, Bob took the Ohio Bar exam and began practicing law. Gibbie worked for Pearl Oil Co. and eventually joined Bob in his law firm as his legal secretary. Gibbie and Bob attended Bowling Green First Methodist Church where Gibbie sang in the choir, participated in Hearth and Chapel and Bible studies. Gibbie's life was filled with many activities including volunteering at the Wood County Hospital for 45 years. She quilted many pieces as a member of the Black Swamp Quilters, she researched local and family history as a member of the Wood County Genealogy Society. She qualified by ancestry as an Ohio First Family and Daughter of the American Revolution. Gibbie was an avid reader and filled many small notebooks with the titles of her many reads. She corresponded over the years with writer Ann Patchett, becoming good friends. She and Bob traveled extensively in the US and overseas until Bob's death in 1988, and also with friends and family after that. Travel was a great interest and joy to her. Her family was her center, and seeing them were cherished times for her. Her son Rob Harms and his wife Chip Harms live in Bowling Green, and her daughter Judy and husband John Potter live in Pembroke, Ontario and winter in Bowling Green. She was most pleased to have three grandchildren: Matt Harms, Stephanie Harms, and Kelly Harms Ehrman, and two more by Matt's marriage to Julie Harms and Kelly's marriage to Mitch Ehrman and one great-grandson, Adam, son of Matt and Julie. Gibbie lived in her home, drove her car and emailed daily until February 2012. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at First United Methodist Church beginning at 2:30 p.m. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 25th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the DUNN FUNERAL HOME, located in Bowling Green's Historical District at 408 West Wooster St. Memorial contributions may be given to the church, Simpson Garden Park, Bridge Home/Health and Hospice and the Wood County Public Library. To send flowers click here! |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 11:02 |
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Comments
I am so sorry for your loss, your Mom will always live in your thoughts and memories.
God Bless,
Rick Snyder
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