Leslie "Les" Harms

Hastings resident Leslie “Les” Harms, 91, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice House, Manhattan, KS.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 20, at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating. Private family burial will be on Saturday, June 21. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be given to First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, 2121 Meadowlark Road, Manhattan, KS. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Les’s obituary and click the play button shown toward the bottom of the page. 

Born an only child to Fred A. and Fara Stansbury Harms in Hastings, NE on January 2, 1934, Les had a unique birthdate of 1-2-34. Raised on a farm south of Hastings, his elementary education began in a rural one room school, district #75. A graduate of Hastings High School, he went on to receive a B.A. degree from Hastings College, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Colorado State College plus advanced training from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Colorado State University, University of Nevada, University of Nebraska at Kearney, and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

During his senior year at college, Les met his best friend and the love of his life, Shirley Gulzow, who became his wife and the mother of their three sons. She was his biggest supporter, in furthering his education, reaching his goals, and sharing his lifelong adventure. Les and Shirley’s partnership was one of deep devotion, love for the family, shared adventures, intellectual conversations, faith, fortitude, and a joint zest for life. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage and created many memories together. They both enjoyed attending their sons’ many activities during the earlier part of their marriage. They gave their sons every opportunity to reach their highest potential through their love, care, education, travel, books, and the arts.

Les’s career spanned 41 years as an educator while working as a teacher, principal, and counselor with students in Kenesaw, Oxford, and Hastings Public Schools. He was a mentor, friend, and confidant to thousands of students during his career. He was also active in his community serving on the board of directors of the Archway Corvette club, Board of Directors of the regional Oliver farm equipment club, president of the Hastings Community Concert Association, Board of Directors of the Adams County Historical Society, board of directors of the Bridge, and was a member of the Kiwanis service group. He also coached his church’s elementary basketball team to a state championship.

As a lifelong Lutheran, Les regarded God, his strong faith, and his church as paramount in his life shown by serving and chairing the church council, being chairman of the foundation, chairing the scholarship committee, singing with the Chancel choir, teaching Sunday school, and being a worship assistant. Les and Shirley were very committed and active members at First Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, where they found great fulfillment in growing their faith and being part of a caring community for over 60 years. Les was a lay speaker who served over 200 churches in Nebraska and Northern Kansas serving on the Hastings College pulpit supply team. A trained vocalist, he sang for many weddings and funerals during his lifetime.

Les’s philosophy of life centered around his Christian faith and his family, “He never ran with the herd”, instead making his own decision based upon his faith and research. When counseling students, he always encouraged and stressed the importance of being genuine and real. He always encouraged his sons to earn a balanced education, so that they could enjoy many interests through their lifetime.

Les enjoyed many interests, one of which was a strong interest in aviation, which led him to being president of the Hastings Airport Authority, and President of the Experimental Aircraft Association, chapter 544, in Hastings. One of his many dreams and goals lead to him becoming a licensed private pilot and enjoying the freedom of flight. Later in life, his strong interest in classic automobiles came to fruition. As an avid Corvette enthusiast, Shirley and he enjoyed many travel adventures with their Corvette. Reflecting his farm background, he also restored and collected several classic farm tractors, and his father’s Ford pickup. His strong interest in history led to his serving as narrator of the radio program “Moments in Time”, broadcasting short segments of Adams County history twice monthly for many years. He also enjoyed genealogy and researched his family extensively which included visiting his grandmother’s home and church in Germany. For his family’s benefit, he wrote his autobiography during his later years. Les and Shirley enjoyed travel immensely. After touring the lower 48 states, they have also enjoyed Alaska and Hawaii. Great Britain and European travel were also a part of their itinerary.

He greatly enjoyed spending time on his farm and in nature. His grandchildren and his great-grandchildren were very important to him. Many former students, friends, and family form a legacy to his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and oldest son, Steve.

He is survived by:
Children & Spouses:
    Craig & Susie Harms - Manhattan, KS
    Douglas & Carol Harms - Molokai, HI
    Connie (Steve) Harms - Lenexa, KS
Grandchildren, Spouses, & Great-Grandchildren:
    Ryan & Kirby Harms - Lenexa, KS
        Jordan, Makena
    Christina & Ryan Burns - Lenexa, KS
        Paisley, Callen
    Nicolette & Joe Boeding - Lenexa, KS
        Chandler
    Annie & Greg McLeod - Shawnee, KS
        Isaac, Audrey
    Drew Harms - Olathe, KS
    Jackson & Abby Harms - Austin, TX
    Zac & Fanchette Robinson - Maui, HI
        Amber, Makena, Alyssa, Hoku
    Charis & Tim Allenbaugh - Eugene, OR
        Mason, Charlotte, Greta
Sister-in-law:
    Marilynn Addington - Ft. Collins, CO
Nieces:
    Lori (Joe) Larson - Ft. Collins, CO 
    Julie Aspegren - Scottsdale, AZ