Jake Harms

Obituary

Jake Harms, aged 86 years, of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach, Manitoba.

He is survived by his three daughters Jackie, Sheila, and Carla; their partners Mark, Warren, and Federico; and grandsons Carter and Santiago. He is also survived by his brother Pete and sister Margaret.

Jake was predeceased by his wife Elsie; his parents John and Sara Harms; his brothers John, Frank, and Henry; and his sisters Annie and Lydia.

Jake was born on May 4, 1938, in Steinbach and grew up on his family’s farm before moving to his own farm in Rosengard, Manitoba. Before he started farming, he worked for Bergman Meats where he learned how to butcher, and later delivered gas for Texaco. Jake rode a Harley motorcycle and often drove by Bristol School, which is how he met his wife Elsie who was a schoolteacher there. Jake and Elsie raised their family on the Rosengard farm and later moved to a hobby farm in La Broquerie for their retirement years. Farming was not only a way of life for Jake, but also a passion that he dedicated his life to. He found a great deal of satisfaction in caring for animals, working the land, and harvesting crops. He took particular pleasure in raising cattle as well as many types of birds including pigeons, chickens, and geese.

Jake was an avid hunter and often spoke with nostalgia about hunting adventures shared with his friends in the bush. He had an appreciation for nature and the circle of life, not only raising domestic animals and hunting wild ones, but also butchering these animals – a skill for which he was known in the community.

Although always up for a funny story or a good Low German joke, Jake was serious about his faith and his commitment to God. He attended the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church and the Pansy Chapel. Later in life, he enjoyed watching televised church services and Christian music programs.

Jake often talked about the love of being in nature and the deep peace it brought him. We trust that he will now find his heavenly resting place under the prairie sky.

“I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief… For a time I rest in the grace of the world and am free.” ~ Wendell Berry

The livestreamed funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB with viewing one hour prior to the service, and a reception following the funeral service.

The interment will take place at Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach, MB.

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