Harvey Harms

March 23, 1928 - January 1, 2018

Harvey Harms, 89 of Madrid, passed away Monday, January 1, 2018, at the Imperial Manor in Imperial. Harvey was born March 23, 1928, on the family farm north of Grainton, NE to William and Mae (Wilbur) Harms. He graduated from Grainton High School with the class of 1946. In 1948, Harvey entered the US Army where he served as a radio operator as part of the constabulary force in Germany following World War II. Following his discharge in 1952, He returned home to the family farm. He married Elaine Peres (Browning) on January 16, 1960, to this union 2 children were born. Lana Harms of Mesa, AZ, and Angie Leth (Bob) of Ashby, NE. On August 3, 1984, Harvey married Pamela G. (Conklin) Ross in North Platte. The couple made their home north of Grainton where they raised their children, farmed, and raised livestock. Harvey loved his life on the farm and continued working into his eighties, and even through a cancer diagnosis. Most recently, Harvey and Pam had been making their home in Madrid. Harvey was proud to have been a lifelong member of the ag community in Perkins County. He was also very passionate about his livestock, having raised cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, geese, ducks, and even partridges. Harvey did, however, have an aversion toward raising sheep. He kept vast and impressive gardens, and just had a knack for growing things. The family always canned and gave away their surpluses every year. To say that Harvey was an avid Husker football and St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan would be an understatement. His trips were always carefully planned during the season to never conflict with his plans to watch the games. He took in baseball games whenever he could, and thoroughly enjoyed talking about the game. Harvey had a sharp wit and was quite sarcastic. His humor was slightly edgy at times and always seemed to get people to laugh. Never at a loss for one-liners, some of the very best of his turn of phrase were immortalized into what his family and friends affectionately termed "Harveyisms." Harvey considered himself a simple man, and as such, he appreciated the simple pleasures found in farm life, in the company of his family, his dogs, and his grandkids. He enjoyed a good game of pitch, patched up jeans, worn out shirts, nice looking crops, and straight rows. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; and 11 siblings, Leonard, Earl, Wesley, Raymond, Hazel, Howard, Esther, Agnes, Helen, Earnest, and Bernard. Survivors include his wife, Pam of Madrid; children, Lana Harms of Mesa, AZ, Angie (Bob) Leth of Ashby, Kathy Ross of Broken Bow, David (June) Ross of England; grandchildren, Emma Leth of Ellsworth, Kayla (Ryon) Carr of Ashby, Scott (Cathy) Leth of Torrington, WY, Lara & Katy Ross both of Wichita, KS, Hannah Barker & Patrick Ross both of Broken Bow; great-grandchildren, Max, Georgie, Kaia, & Kirk; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in Harvey's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com. Memorial services will be on Friday, January 5, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Madrid United Methodist Church with Pastor Tammy Aubushon officiating. Interment of Cremains will be in the Wallace Morning View Cemetery. Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.