Annie Ruth ‘Ann’ Harms, 92, most recently of Little River, died Jan. 2, 2021, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born July 9, 1928, in Shafter, CA, to Bernard and Katherine (Buhler) Wiebe.
Ann was an established homemaker all her life, as well as a cashier at IDEAL’S Food Store in Ulysses for 14 years, retiring in 1985. She also supervised the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Ulysses for many years. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing garments and quilts for her children and grandkids most all their lives, as well as mending for them. Ann was the sign-reading co-pilot for her husband Al for many years, as they traveled the highways around the United States and into Alaska when he worked for Mennonite Aid and Property.
Ann and Al moved to Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson in 2006. While there, she loved serving others by crocheting hats, scarves, and baby blankets, as well as working in the grocery and To-Gather stores at MFC. She also enjoyed gardening, was a fixture at the jigsaw puzzle table, and was known as the Puzzle Lady by residents at MFC. She always kept her hands and mind busy with crocheting, hand-work, or puzzle books for as long as she was able.
Ann was a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ulysses, where she attended most her life, and taught Sunday school for many years.
On Aug. 31, 1948, Ann married Alvin N. Harms in Blaine, WA. He died Dec. 28, 2011. They celebrated 63 years of devoted marriage together.
Surviving are daughters, Clariece Kohlhorst (Carl), Syracuse, Rhonda Harms, Lawrence, Cindy Hogan (Scott), Little River; daughter-in-law, Colleen Harms, Wichita; sister, Elizabeth Heide (Dennis), Monroe, WA; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Jim Harms; daughter, Beverly McElvain; sisters, Helen Sheldon, Esther Karber, Edna Wiebe; brothers, Harry, Pete, Walt, Elmer, and John Weibe.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 2021, at First Church of God, 704 N. Jefferson, Hutchinson. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. in the Grant County Cemetery, Ulysses. The service will be live-streamed at this link: http://Facebook.com/fcoghutch. Tap videos and scroll to latest video.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family present from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to LIFE Outreach at First of God, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.