Martha Harms

STREATOR — Martha Harms, 81, of Streator, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 20, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Private family services will be held. Elias Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born June 21, 1937, in Adanou, Poland, she was the daughter of Leopold and Marie (Schulz) Ickert. She married Henry J. Harms on June 9, 1957. He passed away in 2004.

She is survived by a daughter, Rebecca (Robert) Sauers, of Streator; son, Dr. Robert (Kim) Harms, of Streator; and grandchildren, Cheryl (Jim) Pellino, Cassondra (Lance) Moquin, Robert (Courtney) Sauers, Zachary (Elizabeth) Harms, Madison Harms and Christian Harms. Also surviving is a brother, Karl Ickert; sister, Erna Harms; great-granddaughter, Mariah Pellino; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother, Richard Ickert; and a brother in infancy.

She graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1956.

Martha was a very compassionate and loving Christian. She firmly believed and practiced loving everyone as the Lord loves us. Martha was always great at giving Godly advice, listening and counseling others. She served as a mentor, guide and shepherd to all people whom she encountered every day.

Martha enjoyed every aspect of farm life, whether it was bringing food to the field, hauling in grain, working the fields, tending to her chickens or planting, harvesting and canning vegetables from her garden. Her favorite pastimes were admiring the deer gathered in her fields, reading her Bible, cooking and sewing. She served many people by making delicious homemade German meals.

She enjoyed the simplicity of life with great joy. Martha lived every day by being a positive influence to every life she touched.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was active in all aspects of the church.

Until her husband passed away, they were avid travelers throughout the United States and Europe.

She also was a seamstress at Opdykes in Streator for several years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to her church.

You can sign the guest book for Martha at eliasfh.com.

Elias Funeral Home

208 N. Park St., Streator, IL 61364

815-672-2814 eliasfh.com