Emden:           Georgia Ann Harms, 84, of Springfield, formerly of Emden, passed away Saturday January 28, 2012 in the emergency room at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

She was born September 18, 1927 in Pekin, IL, the daughter of George X. and Mabel Bree Wagner.  She was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Emden where she married her eternal partner Donald Wayne Harms on July 11, 1948.  He died February 19, 1981.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Bernice Rettberg and one brother Wayne Wagner.

She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia “Cindy” Whitson and Rebecca “Becky” Harms, both of Springfield.  Also surviving is one sister Pat (Don) McCann of Lincoln, IL, one brother, Donald (Betty Gail) Wagner of Emden, IL and four sisters-in-law, Marianne Wagner of Emden, Mary Lou Myers of Lincoln, Ruth Elsas of Hillsboro and Shirley (Ellis) Gemberling of Springfield, and one aunt Vivian Bree of Mason City.  She also leaves behind thirty nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, many dear friends and her beloved “Oreo”.

Georgia was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Emden for many years serving many offices including past president.  She was also a 50 plus year member of the MNO pinochle club and volunteered for various organizations including the Christian Nursing Home in Lincoln.  Georgia was also a co-chair of the Emden Homecoming Parade for many years and was honored as one of the Grand Marshalls last year.

She was employed for many years at the catalog desk at Sears in Lincoln and retired from the Farmers State Bank in Emden.

She enjoyed playing cards, traveling, and fishing, but most of all being with friends and family.  She was a kind, gentle lady who never met a stranger.

Services will be at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday February 1, 2012 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Emden with Rev. John Schurter and Rev. Frank Pieper co-officiating.  Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at Green Hill Cemetery, San Jose.  Memorials may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church or the American Legion Auxiliary of Emden.