Harmes, Kathleen

Kathleen (Donelson) Harmes

Born 7/27/1921

Died 11/17/2007

Ms. Harmes was born July 27, 1921, to Melissa (Cox) and Harlan J. Donelson, farmers in the Dotham neighborhood east of Fairfax, Mo. Kathleen attended Fairfax High School and graduated in 1939. Because of her interest in children, she attended Northwest Missouri Teachers\\\' College in Maryville, Mo., graduating in 1943. Kathleen moved to Massena, Iowa, and became the home economics teacher at the high school there. She taught for two years. On Dec. 9, 1945, she was married to Wilfred Lee Harmes, beginning their 58 years of marriage on a farm northwest of Fairfax. They had three children, William Fredrick, Cecilia May, and Nita Loree. She served as a leader for the Cloverleaf 4-H Club and was a longtime member of the United Methodist Women. Kathleen always enjoyed the friendship of her neighbors in the Chatterspin Club, a ladies\\\' social group. Kathleen always described herself as a homemaker. She found an outlet for her artistic talents in her sewing, making most of the clothing for herself and her daughter. She particularly enjoyed planning and sewing a new outfit each spring for the alumni banquet. She wore lots of red dresses because that was Kathleen\\\'s favorite color. "Katy" was also a creative cake maker, providing pretty desserts for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. The role Kathleen enjoyed the most was that of grandmother. Nothing pleased her more than holding a grandbaby in her arms or making a fancy cake for a first birthday party. She delighted in hosting family dinners during the holidays. She studied the Bible daily. Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred, in 2004; her son, William, in 1990; infant daughter, Cecilia; her parents; and a sister, Louis Burttram. Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Nita Harmes, Gladstone, Mo.; sister, Sadie Ellen Steele, Ferguson, Mo.; brother, Jake Donelson, Shambaugh, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Patricia Harmes, Excelsior Springs, Mo.; grandchildren, Anna Weaver, Robert Harmes and Michael Harmes of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax, with the Rev. Mike Eighmy officiating; burial in English Grove Cemetery in Fairfax. The family received friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are through Schooler Funeral Home in Fairfax. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfax United Methodist Church.


Family links:
Parents:
Harlan J. Donelson (1896 - 1966)
Melissa Minerva Cox Donelson (1896 - 1935)

Spouse:
Wilfred Lee Harmes (1921 - 2004)

Children:
William F. Harmes (1947 - 1990)*
Cecilia May Harmes (1950 - 1951)*

Siblings:
Kathleen Donelson Harmes (1921 - 2007)
Louise M. Donelson Burttram (1922 - 2001)*
Sadie Ellen Donelson Steele (1927

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