Charles R. Harmon, obituary portrait — Ludvigsen Mortuary

In Loving Memory

Charles R. “Ray”Harmon

Date of Birth January 28, 1933
Passed Away On April 10, 2025
At Age 92 years
Resident of Fremont, NE
Army emblem — honoring military service
United States Veteran
United States Army
✦ ✦ ✦
Charles Ray Harmon, 92, of Fremont, Nebraska,
entered his Savior's presence on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Dunklau Gardens.

Ray was born to Luther and Clara (Bundy) Harmon on January 28, 1933, at his family's farm near Greenwood, Nebraska. His family moved to Gretna, Springfield, and Loup City. A lover of people, Ray delighted in attending high school reunions from all three high schools he attended, Gretna High School, Papillon High School, and graduated from Loup City High School (1951).

He studied agriculture at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. During his freshman year, the pretty Eleanor Steavenson, his future wife, caught his eye in the mirror at a church dinner.

After graduating, Ray entered the army in February 1955. He returned home on leave to wed Eleanor on November 20, 1955, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Nebraska. Corporal Harmon served at Ladd Air Force Base in Alaska and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was honorably discharged in February 1957.

The couple lived on the family farm near Fontanelle, where they raised three children. He taught his children and grandchildren about farming and proudly included his sons and several grandchildren in the family business. A savvy businessman, Ray was a co-owner of Fontanelle Hybrid Seed Corn Company and diversified his farm operations to include cow calf herds near Taylor, Nebraska and New Market, Iowa. He also served on the board of directors of Two Rivers Bank in Arlington.

Ray believed the most important thing was knowing Jesus and gladly worked to help others know Him, too, serving as a member of the Fremont Gideons and on the International Board of Child Evangelism Fellowship. He was a member of the Fremont Evangelical Free Church.

Ray and Eleanor traveled extensively around the US and internationally. He enjoyed visiting family and friends on his trips. He loved a good joke, had a twinkle in his eye, and gave each of his grandchildren an affectionate pet name.

He is survived by his wife Eleanor Harmon, with whom he shared over 69 years of marriage; daughter Nanci (Keith) Davy of Orlando, Florida and sons Steave (Ginny) Harmon of Fontanelle, Nebraska and Tom (Emiko) Harmon of Fremont, Nebraska; 10 grandchildren Sarah (Kirk) Springer, Nathan (Esther) Davy, Rebekah (Jess) Kment, Anna (Dan) Luddeke, Phillip (Ashley) Harmon, Daniel (Brynne) Davy, Leah (Jack) Younger, Joyce Harmon, Grace Harmon, Manuel Harmon; 18 great-grandchildren (Aleah, Isaac, and Edward Springer; Eleanor, Josephine, and Leo Davy; Ryker, Bridger, and Colter Kment; Silas, Hudson, Ezekiel, and Barrett Luddeke; Natalie Harmon; Cleo and Charles Davy; Joel and Hannah Younger).

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers James Harmon and Richard Harmon, and sister, Jerris Palmer.

The memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19, at 11:00 AM at the Fremont Evangelical Free Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship and sent in care of Steave Harmon, 11442 Co Rd P3, Nickerson, NE 68044

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Share on Facebook
✦ ✦ ✦

Watch Funeral Service

✦ ✦ ✦

Services

Visitation

Alma Evangelical Lutheran Church

219 West 5th Street

Mead, NE, 68041

Funeral Service

Evangelical Free Church

2050 North Lincoln Avenue

Fremont, NE, 68025

April 19, 2025

11:00 AM

Map ↗
✦ ✦ ✦

Condolences (5)

M
Michael Anderson Norton, MA April 18, 2025
"I have so many wonderful memories of seeing Ray, Eleanor, Nancy, Steave, and Tom out in Nebraska when visiting from Boston as a kid. My dad was Eleanor's cousin. Such incredible people. I really loved going out there and getting to grow up a little bit early. I remember the time when I was 10 and Ray said, "do you know how to drive?" Of course, I didn't, but I said "yes." He said, "well, get in." Everything was great until I hit the brakes and almost put everybody through the windshield on the farm Chevy pickup...great memories. Ray, you will be missed.

Michael Anderson
Norton MA"
S
Sonja (Springan) Bauers Fremont, NE April 15, 2025
"I remember Ray very well. I detasseled one year and I dont think Ray knew what to do with me. I was old enough, just not tall enough. Walking the corn rows, I broke off too much corn trying to get the tassels. He put me on a machine, it was better, but a little fast for me. I decided not to go back the next year, easier for all of us. lol
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Harmon family and God's blessings to all.
Dave and Sonja Bauers"
J
Joan Ruyle-Texel Lincoln, NE April 14, 2025
"Ray you were an amazing man and you and your family is so special to the Ruyle Family. I have many great memories of visits to your farm, riding Pepper the horse and detasseling corn. You have a special place in our hearts. I am lifting up the Harmon family in prayer."
×
Start Planning Now

Start Planning a Funeral Now - For You or Your Loved One