Freda Harms, 97

Freda Harms, age 97, passed away on August 12, 2020, speaking low German until the end. Due to Covid, only a private graveside service will be held at the Shiloh Cemetery in Wellsburg. Please give generously to your church as well as to your favorite animal rescue in memory of Freda. The Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley is assisting the family. 

Ms. Harms was born and raised on a farm east of Steamboat Rock, and in her heart never left.  She cherished  farm life and especially loved the animals. When talking about playing 'hide and seek' with her beloved dog Banner, it always brought a smile to her face. Surprisingly, Banner lived to be 17.  (Back then there was no factory farming, no pesticides, etc., to shorten his life). 

In later years, Freda kept sheep in Steamboat Rock, doting on them, and in return they seemed to adore her.  When asked if she thought she would have made a good shepherd, she replied, "I am a shepherd."

Freda attended the Presbyterian Church in Steamboat and when not caring/praying for the sheep, enjoyed playing cards with her friends from Wellsburg.  She despised "uppity people".  She did love inviting her friends over for a cup of her (very weak) coffee and homemade rusks.  Having gone through the depression, Freda saved every plastic bag, twistem, sugar packet she could get her hands on. She also bought her clothes at thrift stores. Her husband Geo.W. was heard to say, "Go ahead and buy your clothes there, Freda, if you get a kick out of it. Just don't buy your shoes or underwear there."

Freda is survived by her two adult children (actually senior citizens themselves) and her special grand-dog Wills Wesley.

Special thanks to the wonderful nurses and aids at the Presbyterian Home in Ackley (aka Grand JiVante to some) as well as the nurses and social workers at Care Initiatives Hospice in Waterloo.  It takes a special person to do your job. (We're talking about you, Darcie M.).

One of her last coherent thoughts which will always be remembered, "Stay with God, Audrey, always stay with God."

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