Kenneth G. Harms, 84, died at his home in rural Syracuse on August 26, 2012, surrounded by his wife of 62 years and family. He was born on February 3, 1928 on a farm southeast of Syracuse to Harvey J. Sr. and Clara (Engelbrecht) Harms. He was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church Delaware-rural Syracuse where he was baptized on June 16, 1928 and confirmed on April 18, 1943. Kenneth attended District 40 country school and Syracuse High School. He left high school to work on the family farm when his father became ill.

He married Alvina E. Mueller, of Syracuse, on April 12, 1950 at North Branch Lutheran Church-rural Avoca. From this marriage two sons were born, Robert K. and Donald L. Harms.

Kenneth served on Christ Lutheran Church Council and District 40 Rural School Board. He was awarded the Otoe County Outstanding Young Farmer 1962-1963, by the Nebraska City Junior Chamber of Commerce, and in 1981 he was also awarded the Nemaha NRD Conservation Award. Kenneth spent his life doing what he loved-being a farmer. He was also a self-taught carpenter and could fix anything. He enjoyed creating toys and gifts for his grandchildren.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Alvina, sons-Robert (Tally Schmidt) Harms of Tekamah and Donald (Janet) Harms of Syracuse. Grandchildren-Stacey (Casey Hevlin) Harms, Scott Harms, Nicole (Justin) McWilliams, Tiffany (Travis) Walters, and Derek Harms. Great grandchildren Nathan McWilliams and Jaxen and Graysen Walters. Kenneth is also survived by sister Janis Wessel, of Syracuse and brothers and sisters-in-laws, Joyce Harms of Papillion, Dorothy Lawson of Lincoln, Ben and Pauline Huber of Schuyler, Leona Post of Syracuse, Shirley Whitney of Lincoln, and Kenneth and Janice Mueller of Syracuse. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, brother Harvey "Doc" Harms, sister Helen Kepler, and brothers-in-laws George Wessel, Edward Kepler, Vard Lawson, Roland Post and Robert Whitney.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday August 30, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Christ Lutheran Church Delaware-rural Syracuse. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Delaware Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday August 29 from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in care of family for future designation in Ken's memory.

Arrangements by Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE 402-269-2441