Obit: Vera Harms, 95, died Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Heritage Health Care in Chanute, KS. Vera was born April 29, 1922 in Thayer and lived most of her life in or around the Thayer community. She graduated from Thayer High School in 1938 at the age of 16. Her first job after graduating was working at the Thayer telephone switch board for a year before moving to Erie for two years where she worked at the Soil Conservation office. After returning to Thayer, Vera worked from 1941 to 1966 at First National Bank of Thayer, which later changed its name to 1st State Bank. Vera married Albert Ernest Harms on February 13, 1945, in Garnett, Kansas. They were married for 65 years before Ernie's death in 2010. In the early 1950s Vera became determined to learn to fly and began studying for her Pilot's License. In September 1955 she achieved her goal and made her first solo flight. During the 1960s Vera and Ernie ran Harms Real Estate and Insurance Company and later started and operated Harms Barn, a local antique and retail business. In 1978 their love for travel took them on a trip around the world. Vera was active in her community. She was a member of the Thayer United Methodist Church, the Thayer Friday Reading Club, Sunflower Club and Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and District Aide for Eastern Star. She began painting later in life and enjoyed giving lessons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie Harms; parents, Elwyn and Cleo Stafford; brothers Gene, Clifford, Keith, Raymond, Harold and a sister Thelma Stafford. Survivors include sisters-in-law Jane and Inie Rue Stafford, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Vera bequeathed her body to the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Obit: Vera Harms, 95, died Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Heritage Health Care in Chanute, KS. Vera was born April 29, 1922 in Thayer and lived most of her life in or around the Thayer community. She graduated from Thayer High School in 1938 at the age of 16. Her first job after graduating was working at the Thayer telephone switch board for a year before moving to Erie for two years where she worked at the Soil Conservation office. After returning to Thayer, Vera worked from 1941 to 1966 at First National Bank of Thayer, which later changed its name to 1st State Bank. Vera married Albert Ernest Harms on February 13, 1945, in Garnett, Kansas. They were married for 65 years before Ernie's death in 2010. In the early 1950s Vera became determined to learn to fly and began studying for her Pilot's License. In September 1955 she achieved her goal and made her first solo flight. During the 1960s Vera and Ernie ran Harms Real Estate and Insurance Company and later started and operated Harms Barn, a local antique and retail business. In 1978 their love for travel took them on a trip around the world. Vera was active in her community. She was a member of the Thayer United Methodist Church, the Thayer Friday Reading Club, Sunflower Club and Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and District Aide for Eastern Star. She began painting later in life and enjoyed giving lessons. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie Harms; parents, Elwyn and Cleo Stafford; brothers Gene, Clifford, Keith, Raymond, Harold and a sister Thelma Stafford. Survivors include sisters-in-law Jane and Inie Rue Stafford, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Vera bequeathed her body to the University of Kansas Medical Center.
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