Ruth Harms

1937 - 2025

Ruth Harms
June 10, 1937 - September 21, 2025
Ruth Ann (Stene) Harms, 88, of Chester, SD, passed away on September 21, 2025. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Colton. Interment will follow in the Minnehaha Lutheran Cemetery, Colton. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Chester Athletic Booster Club or First Lutheran Church.
She was born on June 10, 1937, in Minneapolis, MN, to Elmer and Gyneth (Carson) Stene. Ruth Ann graduated from Colton High School in 1955. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, E. Richard "Dick" Harms, on October 10, 1958.
Ruth Ann was a dedicated member of Colton Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent, and was President of the Ladies' Circle. She also volunteered for several years at the church's annual meatball supper.
A loving and supportive wife, Ruth Ann was an active partner to her husband, Dick, in all his endeavors. She assisted with farming operations, caring for animals, helping with fieldwork, and cooking wild game. Together, their unwavering support for Chester High School athletics was recognized with the 2021 Friends of Education Award.
Ruth Ann was employed at Sioux Valley Hospital, JJ Newberry's, Franklin Elementary School, and Target, until she retired in 1998. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading and traveling. Her travels included trips to Germany to tour castles and extensive tours throughout the United States.
She is survived by her husband; their four children, Timothy Harms, Todd Harms, Terrance (Susan) Harms, and Tamra (Mark) Brodahl; six grandchildren, Skyler (Melissa) Harms, Kyleen (Jake) Rogers, Alexander (Rebecca) Harms, Kristina Harms, Luke (Haley) Brodahl, and Samuel (Emma) Brodahl; and three great-grandchildren, Tobias Harms, Isabelle Harms, and Eleanor Harms. She is also survived by her sister, Elaine Swier, and her brother, Ervin Stene. Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Wallace and David Stene; and sister Betty Flatten.
www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.