Claudia Kathleen Harkness

Claudia Kathleen (Kern) Harkness, 90, residing in Sandusky, passed away surrounded by her loving family Saturday afternoon, August 2, 2025 at Providence Care Center after a brief illness.
Claudia was born on November 5, 1934 in Bellevue, OH to the late Ralph and Evelyn (Peltier) Kern.
Claudia graduated from Bellevue High School in 1953 and went on to dedicate 30 years of service as a nurse's aide at Lutheran Memorial Home. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sandusky. In 1955, she married the love of her life, George G. Harkness Jr. Together, they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and tradition-most notably through their family business, Harkness Christmas Trees. What began with just 100 trees in their first year grew into a beloved holiday staple, with over 1,000 trees sold annually for more than 40 years. Claudia had a deep love for the holidays, but her greatest joy was her family. She was the heart of every gathering, cheering at countless sporting events for her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and preparing unforgettable family meals. A devoted Ohio State Buckeye fan, Claudia was known for her sharp wit, easy laugh, and incredible sense of humor-always willing to laugh at herself first. She had a remarkable gift for conversation and made everyone she met feel like an old friend. She was, quite simply, the best.
Claudia is survived by her children, Cindy (Ed) Windau of Sandusky, George "Toby" (Connie) Harkness of Sandusky, Lisa (Steve) Filipucci of Castalia, and Julie (Gary) Kuns of Tipp City; thirteen grandchildren, Melissa, Lori, Jamie, Jen, Patrick, Cameron, Bobby, Tony, Jason, Andrew, Kaley, Mathew and Mackenzie; great-grandchildren, Calli, Ben, Abby, Megan, Luke, Channing, Emery, Aiden, Laurel, Alayna, Griffin, Peyton, Sophia, Julia, Rayann and Isabella (due in September); 3 step-grandchildren and 1 step great-grandchild; lifetime friend, Donna Sessler of Castalia; and numerous cousins and other relatives.
In addition to her parents, Claudia is preceded in death by her husband, George Harkness in 1990; sisters, Shirley Duggan and Lurlynn Smith; brother, Robert Kern.
Friends may call on Friday, August 8th, 2025 from 12:00 pm until the time of funeral services at 1:30 pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky with Deacon Phil Dinovo presiding. Guests are invited to wear their Ohio State Buckeyes gear to the services in Claudia's honor. She was an avid fan, and nothing would make her smile more than a sea of scarlet and gray. A private family burial will take place at a later time in Castalia Cemetery, Castalia, OH.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to Claudia's memory may do so to the Margaretta Boosters Club Track Lighting Project, PO Box 281, Castalia, OH 44824 (a cause close to the family's heart, as the light poles to be used for the project were donated from the Harkness Christmas Tree Farm) or to the Providence Care Center Activities Fund, 2025 Hayes Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.