Wendell G. Harms, a longtime farmer who friends remember for his patience and quiet ways, died February 17, 2012, at the Friendship Village Retirement Center in Waterloo.  He was 89 years old.

Mr. Harms was born Dec. 19, 1922 in rural Shell Rock the son of Gerhardt and Elma Coster Harms.  He grew up in the Norton Corners area, where he attended grade school before going on to high school in Shell Rock and New Hartford, where he graduated in 1941.  He played baseball in high school and continued that interest throughout his life by being a Chicago Cubs fan.

He entered the U.S. Army during World War II and served as an antiairforce gunner while stationed in Hawaii.  He married Rosetta “Rosie” Davis on February 22, 1948 at the Grace Methodist Church in Waterloo.

Mr. Harms farmed in the New Hartford and Keystone areas.  In addition to field crops, he raised hogs and dairy cattle.  He retired in 1987.  He and his wife moved to Waterloo in 1996.  They were members of Grace Reformed Church.  Mr. Harms was also a member of New Hartford American Legion Post #660.

He enjoyed working with machinery, playing golf, square dancing, wood working, and studying the Civil War.

He was preceded in death by son Wendell Jr.; sisters, Maxine Madsen and Norma Laubscher and brother, Vernon Harms.

He is survived by wife, Rosie Harms; sons William Harms (Myra), Grayslake, IL; Rod (Cheryl), Chongqing, China; grandchildren, Jeremy Harms and Emily (Michael) Doran; step grandchildren, Michael Cox, Andrew Cox, Shelly Parris and Joe Bush; and two great-grandchildren, Ian Doran and Grant Doran.