BY SVN NEWS SERVICE

ROCK FALLS - Kenneth Harms, 85, of Rock Falls, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at CGH Medical Center. He farmed for 20 years in Byron, Dixon, Apple River, and Rockford. He was employed by Case Power and Equipment for 16 years, and then by Country Companies as an insurance crop adjuster for 21 years, until his illness.

Ken was born April 13, 1923, in Deer Grove, the son of Rudolph and Emma (Schultz) Harms. He was a 1941 graduate of Sterling High School. After high school, he worked for several great farmers. Ken was drafted into the Army during World War II for two years, one of which he served in Germany. He married Betty J. Bond on Nov. 30, 1944, in Rock Falls. He was a faithful member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and the American Legion, both in Rock Falls, and a volunteer driver for CGH Medical Center. Ken was an avid bowler and bowled a 300 game on Oct. 11, 2006, at the age of 83.

Survivors include his wife, Betty of Rock Falls; one daughter, Sharon Harms of San Diego; four sons, Steve (Connie) Harms of Tyler, Texas, Stan (Judy) Harms of Pine, Colo., Robert "Joe" (Ann) Harms of Durand, and Ronald (Debra) Harms of Freeport; two sisters, Ida (Jim) Wink and June Soderquist, both of Rock Falls; one brother, Marvin Harms of Sterling; two sisters-in-law, Rosemary Harms of Sterling and Arleta Harms of Rock Falls; his grandchildren, Robb (Diane) Ashton and Chris (Kim Thomas) Ashton, both of San Diego, Joshua J. Harms, Luke Harms, and Stephanie Harms, all of Tyler, Texas, Sherry (Aaron) Harms of Fort Worth, Texas, Anna (Ray) Jenze of Beloit, Wis., Matthew (Kathy) Harms of Rockton, Nathan Harms of Freeport, Jeremia Harms of Rockford, Andrea Harms of Tennessee, Debra (Dan) Kodnze of La Crosse, Wis., Jeff Harms of Wisconsin, Jim Harms of Argyle, Wis., and Kathy (Tony) Bender of Dodgeville, Wis.; several stepgrandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Warren and Quinten; and a great-grandson, Dylan.

The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rock Falls, with the Rev. Henrietta Milner officiating. Burial is at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at McDonald-Allen-Grennan Funeral Home, 505 First Ave., Sterling, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Hospice of the Rock River Valley and Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rock Falls.

Condolences may be sent at www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com on the Internet.