Duane Eugene Harms

Duane E. Harms, Age 81, of Woodbury, MN passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Carol Harms and loving father of three daughters Jennifer Hess (Erik), Lisa Dwyer (Mike) and Lori Harms. He was also the adored grandfather of Kara Grace, Olivia and Brendan Hess. He was a loving and loyal brother to Allan Harms (Carolyn) and Joan Dotson (Bill). He was also an impactful uncle, cousin, neighbor, advisor and friend.

Duane was born to John and Gertrude Harms in Newton, Kansas. He grew up in Augusta, KS where he graduated from high school and made lifelong friends. He described his fondest childhood memory as deciding to follow Jesus as his savior at age 7. He chose to study business administration in college but after attending a missions conference at Urbana was inspired to pursue a career in ministry. Determined and with a focused vision in 1967, the Vietnam War still presented a barrier. To avoid being drafted he enlisted in the Navy Reserves. Initially seen as a detour, Duane later realized this was exactly the plan God had crafted. Two phrases he would carry forward were "God is good, so good!" and "God is faithful, always." His military service provided mentors and a focus to his mission of ministry. The G.I. Bill enabled payment of his seminary education, and in his last years his military service provided an enormous blessing of community and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) medical care at the VA Hospital.

After two years in the service, he began studies at Bethel Seminary. He met his bride-to-be, Carol Harms, on a blind date while she was a nursing student. He proposed 8 months later to begin 54 years of marriage, family building, hospitality and adventure. After graduating seminary in 1971, Duane pastored in four churches, with Carol by his side (Cambridge, NE; Chicago, IL; Ortonville, MN). They raised three daughters who followed in faith and service. In 1994, he made a move from his pastoral role. He was able to combine his passion of spending time with people and supporting missions with his skills of accounting and finance working as an estate planner for Converge and then later to coach missionaries in their support raising.

Duane lived his life guided by his values. Strongest were faith, family, friendship and service. He was a humble man who believed God gave him skills to use and placed people in front of him to bless. He would happily share his faith when asked, but even more, loved to ask questions to hear how God was working in the lives of others. His legacy and greatest joy was to reflect and share stories that would build faith in his family. His love of the Lord and hope of a future in heaven guided his final days as his body was failing from ALS. He claimed joy rather than fear. He continued to talk to his Lord, praying for family and friends as he was awaiting the angel that would bring him home. He would want us to honor his legacy holding onto the same faith, knowing that God walks with you.

Celebrate the life and impact of Duane Harms at Calvary Church, 2120 Lexington Ave North, Roseville, MN 55113, on Thursday, February 26th at 11:30 AM with visitation starting at 10:30 AM

Memorials can be provided to the following in honor of Duane:

ALS Association: http://web.alsa.org/goto/Duane_Harms

Calvary Church Impact/Missions : https://calvarychurch.us/give/