Harmsen, Kenneth H. Kenneth H. Harmsen passed away at his home, on May 27, 2007 at the age of 72. He was born on July 3, 1934 in Lamont, MI to Henry and Gertrude Harmsen. Ken was a former resident of Wyoming, MI. After 43 years at Keeler Brass, he retired to White Cloud and North Ft. Myers, Florida. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Lois (Scholten-Thompson) of White Cloud; his children, Dan Harmsen of White Cloud, Laurie (Jeff) Johnson of Alto, Faye (Greg) Staskewicz of Kentwood, Shelly Bartosiewicz of Anderson, Indiana, Craig (Sonja) Thompson Allendale, Chad (Amanda) Harmsen of Grand Rapids. Grand-children-Brandy and Candice Harmsen, Aaron (Lauren) Johnson, Kacie Johnson, Adam Staskewicz, Christopher (Amber) Bartosiewicz, Amanda and Andrew Bartosiewicz, Brittney, Natasha, Alexandria, Shawna, Cassandra, and Charles Thompson, Logan Harmsen and Alyssa Ricord. Great-granddaughter, Bailey Bartosiewicz. His siblings, Ben (Geri) Harmsen of White Cloud, Florence (Don) Oudbier of Wyoming, Jack (Nancy) Harmsen of Hudsonville, Lois Pritchard of Grand Rapids, Harriet Lape of Detroit, Shirley Muilenburg of Gun Lake. He leaves many, many friends who have been a constant source of support to the family. Your enduring friendship and many acts of kindness have been a blessing. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 31, 2007 from the Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel with Pastor Harry Bultema of the Trinity Bible Church presiding with interment in the Big Prairie Everett Township Cemetery. For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family would like to suggest Hospice of Michigan. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the funeral home address or via www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel Click here to post a condolence or memory of Kenneth Harmsen on-line Lois and family. My sympathy to you and the family. Lois, I don't think I ever met you but went around with Ken and Larry Hannenberg in our highschool days and worked with Jack a number of years at Bursma Radio Supply. Frank Kooistra Posted 5/28/07 I want to express my sorrow to your family at this difficult time. I worked with Ken at Keeler for 10 years. He always made me laugh or smile and that is how I will always remember him, with that big grin of his!! He is in a better place now. Mark McDonald Posted 5/28/07 My sincere sympathy is expressed for the entire family. I knew Ken through his brother Jack and I can always remember Ken as being bigger than life. Ken wanted you to have as good a time as he was having with life. He will be sorely missed as he was always a presence when he was in the area. It was the rule with him that you should have a good time when he was around. I know Jack will miss him badly also. God bless you Lois and children. Ham McCallum Posted 5/28/07 LOIS WERE SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT KEN. ARE THOUGHT'S ARE WITH YOU AND THE FAMILY. KEN WELL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US. CHERISH THE MEMORIES YOU HAVE AND TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE AND AT PEACE NOW. YOUR FRIEND'S ALWAY'S THE PARM'S (FRED, PAT, AMY, KURT , ARIANNA AND KALEI). Posted 5/28/07 To Lois and family, We are so sorry for the loss of your husban, father, and grandpa. I know you all suffered these last weeks. You have our deepest sympathy. Mark, Anne & Leigh Azkoul Posted 5/28/07 I am thinking of you Dan, Laurie and Faye with the passing of your dad. He was a great guy!! Love Aunt Jean (Niewiek) Huitsing Posted 5/29/07 Please accept our sincere sympathy at this difficult time. Lois, Ken worked with my husband, Ken Owen, at Keeler Brass and we both enjoyed your company at Pioneer in N. Ft. Myers a few years ago. Our prayer is that you will enjoy the wonderful memories and find peace in the fact that he is no longer suffering. Linda and Ken Owen Posted 5/30/07 Dan, Laurie and Faye: Your Dad always made me laugh. What a fun uncle! Cousin Gayle Posted 5/30/07 Dear Lois and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Ken's illness and passing. Hope he was comfortable through it all. His family meant the world to him and he was always quick to make all feel like family. My thoughts and prayers go to you and yours during this time of grief and good-bye. His warmth and humor will be missed. Molly (Shanahan) Johnson Posted 5/30/07 Dear Lois and family, Our sincere sympathy to you all. We remember the good times on Wedgewood, and the many laughs we shared especially when our children were small. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Art and Marty Dawson Posted 5/30/07 Aunt Lois, I want to express my deepest sympathy in the passing of Uncle Ken, I have very fond memories of Uncle Ken and how he was always the jokester at any family gathering. He was a great Uncle and he will be greatly missed. I hope to see you soon. Love, Lesha (DeGlopper) Gustin Posted 5/30/07 Hi Lois and family, We are shocked and saddened to learn of Ken's passing. He was always so helpful to us and fun to be with. We particularly remember his sitting on the front porch on Wedgewood, your brightly lit yard at Christmas time--no crooked lights or burned out lights, and his sense of humor. Please take care and we will keep you in our prayers and thoughts. Sincerely, Dave and Karen VanDeWege Posted 5/30/07 Dear Lois and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lois, and with your family. With Love, Wayne and Carrol Grabill Newhall Community Church Posted 6/1/07 Lois, I am sorry sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy is with you at this time. Ken was a wonderful man and he was an inspiration to me. I have always loved Ken as if he were my own family. He always knew how to put a smile on my face. He will be greatly missed. Once again I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord be with you and your family. Bridget Singleton Posted 6/1/07 Well this is way past due but you know out west here we still use the pony express and the indjuns have been pretty restless over in the Montana country so we hear . Back in the old days when I was just knee high to a griz bear ol Ken would just give me what for but he still became dear to me and one of those people that now matter what if he was around you knew it .. He could always keep you guessing about what he was thinking . You never knew if he wanted to throw you over the cliff into that pool or loan you his best horse . Glad I knew him as I grew up cause whether he knew it or not he helped me along the way to what I am now . He always had a word of advice or a ration BS to give you along with that great smile and laugh . He has a place in my heart always . If the Blackfeet along the Yellowstone look the other way and the Missouri is high enough hopefully someone back east will read this before winter sets in . Miss him but it's a great picture of him ... Regan Lewis Posted 8/20/08