Krista Harms

Krista was born April 20, 1963 to Ernest and Nancy Harms in Kansas City, MO. The family moved to Ottumwa, IA, where Krista attended junior high and high school. She was a varsity athlete at Ottumwa High School and graduated in 1981.

Krista attended Kansas State University where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was elected president of her chapter and later served as a traveling consultant for the national fraternity. Krista graduated in 1985 with a BS in Business Marketing, then attended law school at Drake University.

Krista was a successful attorney practicing law in Des Moines, IA, Minneapolis, MN, Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL and Kansas City, MO. Early in her career she practiced consumer litigation. Called to public service, Krista left private practice and became a hearing officer for the State of Illinois Department of Health and Human Services. She culminated her career with her favorite role, working for Judge Kimberley Woodyard as an attorney advisor with the US Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals.

Krista was a passionate pet owner, dedicated to supporting animal shelters. Many days after school in Ottumwa, she visited the cats and dogs at the Heartland Humane Society.

Krista is famous for the incredible number of close enduring friendships she has developed and nurtured through the years. Once you were fortunate enough to be in Krista’s friend orbit, you were forever blessed. Krista has been the glue that has kept dozens and dozens of Kappa friends connected. Get togethers with friends were always full of wonderful storytelling and side-splitting laughter.

When Krista moved to Chicago, she decided to learn to play bridge. She joined a bridge club of incredible women – all quite a bit older than her. Krista often said, “Anyone in their 30s or 40s who doesn’t have dear friendships with folks in their 60s 70s and 80s is missing out on some of the most special relationships in the world!”

Krista loved writing, learning and creating. She amused hundreds with her hilarious Facebook posts “written” by her dog Joey who was always complaining about ‘the lady’ who wouldn’t let him have his way and eat every disgusting thing he came across on their daily walks. She read more than 100 books about WWII. She came across three books by Gerda Weisman Klein, a Holocaust survivor. Krista was so moved by Gerda’s books she reached out to Gerda’s son to let him know how much his mother inspired her. In true Krista fashion she then became friends with Gerda and visited her in Arizona.

Krista is survived by her mother, Nancy Harms of Ottumwa, IA and brother, Karl Harms (Lucinda) of Iowa City, IA. Krista is preceded in death by her father, Ernest Harms.

Krista’s family and friends will be coming together to celebrate her amazing life at McGilley State Line Chapel at 12301 State Line Road in Kansas City, MO on Saturday March 11, 2023. Visitation with family is at 1:00pm, Service is at 2:00pm with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Krista’s name to the following organizations would be greatly appreciated:

Krista Harms, Kappa Kappa Gamma President’s Scholarship Endowment Fund through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, 555 Poyntz Ave. #269, Manhattan, KS 66502 (mcfks.org/donate/Krista-Harms-Presidents-Scholarship-Fund) (785-587-8995)

or

The Heartland Humane Society, 314 Fox Sauk Road, PO Box 1149, Ottumwa, IA 52501 (heartlandhumanesociety.org).