Jeanette Lucille Harms

Two weeks short of her 100th birthday, Jeanette Lucille Harms (nee Petersen) died quietly, August 15, in the presence of family, at Hillside Village in Salmon Arm.

Jeanette was born on the 31st of August 1926, in Iowa, the second of three children, to Esther (nee Paulson) and Andrew Petersen. 

Her childhood was rural.  She’d tell stories of herding cows, walking to the country school, and sledding into farmyard fences in winter (ouch). Jeanette’s parents became Christians at this time and the family began attending church. 

When she was in grade 10, Jeanette’s father took the family south New Mexico, hoping to find some relief for his asthma in a drier climate.  From there, they moved to California and then returned to Iowa, where Jeanette graduated high school. 

Upon graduation, Jeanette enrolled at Westmont College and took up the standard academic work but soon discovered that her heart just wasn’t in it. What she really wanted to do, she decided, was to study the Bible.  She left Westmont and dove into a four-year program at Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, returning to the States at intervals to work and thereby pay her way.

By the time she graduated college, Jeanette knew she wanted to serve God on the mission field, specifically in post war Japan.  Saying goodbye to family and friends (and quite probably married life and children), Jeanette left for Japan under the Evangelical Alliance Mission.

To her surprise, there was at least one good-looking eligible bachelor stationed in Karuizawa, where Jeanette began her Japanese language studies.   Bill Harms, a Canadian, was less surprised to meet her, having seen her photo and made (oh so casual) inquiries.  The attraction blossomed into a romance and the two were married in 1953.

For eight years, the couple worked to evangelize, disciple, and serve the Japanese people in their locale.  Jeanette, with her warm, outgoing personality, was a good complement to Bill, the more reserved of the two. 

In 1962, their little children in tow, Bill and Jeanette returned to Canada and took up residence near family on the west coast.  Bill commenced work with the United Church of Canada pastoring Japanese congregations across Canada.  Jeanette embraced the role of pastor’s wife, playing the piano, teaching Sunday School, visiting shut ins, hostessing, and travelling when necessary. 

On the home front, Jeanette enjoyed being a mother and took diligent care of her family of six.  Though not a nature lover, she cheerfully facilitated family camping adventures, conjuring up delicious meals over a propane camp stove while swatting at mosquitoes.  She sewed dresses for the girls, watched the boys’ soccer games, organized birthday parties, prayed for her children, and taught them to please God.

 As the children grew older, Jeanette participated in Christian women’s groups and hospital visitation.  She was deeply interested in others, unafraid to ask questions, and often quite outspoken, for better or for worse.

Bill and Jeanette spent their retirement years in Salmon Arm, becoming an integral part of their church fellowships and enjoying their expanding family. 

When Bill passed away in 2023, Jeanette was heartbroken.  The last three years of her life were difficult, as she dealt with grief, loneliness, memory loss, and the interminable physical ailments of very old age.  For comfort, she looked to God and His promises, her faithful friends, the aides and nurses that attended her, and family members who would phone, or come to stay in Salmon Arm to spend time with her. 

Jeanette is survived by her children - Faith (Terry) Hayman, Grant (Laurie) Harms, Sharon (Norm) Miller, Stephen (Michelle) Harms, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

We will miss you, Jeanette!