Melvin W Harms

Melvin W. Harms, 95, of Cedar Falls, died Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the Thuesen Cottages Western Home Communities. He was born November 13, 1923 the son of Edward and Wilhelmina (Hagenow) Harms. Melvin married Ethelyn Dewey October 19, 1946 and she preceded him in death June 15, 1979. He married Ruby Foelske December 27, 1980 and she preceded him in death in September 2012. Melvin was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in world War II. Before his retirement he worked for Rath Packing for 29 years as a meat cutter. Melvin's hobbies were fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, and carpentry. He loved traveling and camping. Melvin met monthly with retired Rath workers. Yearly, he enjoyed a reunion with members of the 1906 Aviation Engineers Battalion from 1963-2005. This is the unit Melvin and his twin brother, Martin, served with during World War II.

He is survived by two sons, John (Darnel) Harms, of Coolidge, Arizona and Gary (Jo) Harms, of Forrest Lake, Minnesota; one daughter, Jean Harms, of Coolidge, Arizonia; three step sons, Roger (Virginia) Foelske, of Indianola, Iowa, Daryl (Malinda) Foelske, of Littleton, Colorado, and Kevin (Vannessa) Foelske, of Ankeny, Iowa; one honorary daughter, Ruth (Brian) Kelleher, of Indianola, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren and many nices and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, three sisters, Rosina Harms, Pauline (Walter) Brase, Emelda (Raymond) Dewey; three brothers, Paul (Leola) Harms, Martin and Leo Harms. Also his father-in-law, and mother-in-law Leslie (Stella Cortright) Dewey and his brothers-in-law, Charles (Audrey) Dewey, Rolland (Evelyn) Dewey, Bill (Norma) Dewey, Raymond (Emelda) Dewey, Jack (Ruth) Dewey, and Dean Dewey.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday. January 14, 2019 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral and one hour before service at the church on Monday. Burial will be in Garden of Memories, Waterloo. Cedar Falls AMVETS Post 49 will conduct Military Honors. Memorials may be directed to Retrieving Freedom and Unity Point Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.