Dorothy Harms

Dorothy Harms, age 100 of Sauk Rapids, MN died on Monday June 15, 2026 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids, MN.  A funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Valley Baptist Church in Milbank, South Dakota.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be held in Corona Baptist Cemetery in Corona, SD.

Dorothy DeBoer Harms was born August 15, 1925 in rural Corona SD to parents Okko and Hattie (Poppen) DeBoer.  At the age of nine she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and was baptized by immersion that same year.  She then joined the First Baptist Church in Corona.  She attended school in Corona.  Following high school, she attended Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen SD, after which she taught school in both Grant and Robert’s counties.

In 1945 she was united in marriage to Elmer Harms.  They farmed in rural Corona until 1951 when they moved to Sioux Falls SD.  She worked in the Sioux Valley Hospital, in JC Penny Co and did volunteer work for the Women’s Alliance.  In 1956 they moved back to Corona where she supported Elmer with his trucking business.  In 1965 they moved to Milbank where she worked in First National Bank, JC Penny Co, Milbank Mutual and managed the Lantern Motel until 1984 when she retired.  For many years while working outside the home, she was also the caretaker for Elmer as he was disabled due to back issues.  In 2010 she and Elmer moved to Litchfield MN and after Elmer’s death in 2012 she moved to the St Cloud MN area to be closer to Bob and his family.

Dorothy and Elmer spent a number of years helping Dorothy’s sister Virginia raise her children Troy and Gina.  As a result of that help, Troy and Gina became very special to her.  A relationship that lasted until Troy’s death and until today for Gina.

Dorothy loved her Lord, and her family.  She enjoyed baking, decorating, calligraphy, reading and painting both folk art and rosemaling.  She enjoyed having family and friends in her home.  While in Litchfield she was happy to be closer to her family, enjoyed reading and being with her friends.

Dorothy was a loyal supporter of the churches to which she belonged, Corona Baptist, Trinity Baptist in Sioux Falls and Valley Baptist in Milbank. She taught Sunday school, daily vacation Bible school, sang in the choir, was a member of the Ladies Mission Society and was a Deaconess. At the time of her death, she was a member of Valley Baptist Church in Milbank.

Dorothy is survived by her son Bob (Debbi), special niece Gina (Pete Weiss); Grandsons Michael (Toni), Scott and Tim; Great Grandsons Ryan (Katie), Brent (Breanne Loesch), and Cam (Aiyana Oman); Great Great Grandsons Brayden, Zander, Everett and Nolan; special great nephew Jacob Harms and special great niece Jordyn; and brother in law Al Schuesner (Kathy Amos).

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her parents, an infant sister Delores, her brother Lawrence, her sister Virginia Schuesner and special nephew Troy Harms.