Obituaries

Marian Harmon, of Geneva, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, September 13, at the age of 81. Marian was born on September 24, 1944, in Elbe Parey, Germany, during World War II, and moved to the United States as a young girl. She grew up primarily in Northeastern Iowa and attended West Waterloo High School, where she met the love of her life, Marshall “Skip” Harmon.

Marian and Skip had incredible adventures together, including Skip looking at Marian as they got in the car after their wedding and asking, “Where should we live? I heard there are some good jobs in the Chicago area.” And off they went. Marian and Skip spent time in the Chicago area before moving to Davenport, Iowa, where their daughters, Vicki and Christy, were born. The four moved to Australia for several years before returning to the United States, living in Connecticut, where their son Jason was born. The family of five then moved to St. Peters, Missouri, before putting down deep roots in St. Charles, Illinois, where they lived for more than three decades.

Marian loved to give of her time and talents. Her superpower was her faith and her love of others. She loved being a youth group leader, where Ruby Red Lips (a nickname she received because she loved wearing red lipstick) served the youth of Fox Valley Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. She often spoke of her time on go-and-serve trips and the many kids she treated like her own children and stayed in contact with years later, even after the “kids” grew up and had their own children. Marian had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the church choir for many years, and even sang solos and duets at weddings. Many spoke of her smile and how she lit up the church with her smile and voice.

Marian was the face of Fox Valley Presbyterian Church for over 20 years, serving as the church’s administrative assistant. She made everyone who called the office or came into the church feel welcomed and loved. Whether it was as an employee, a youth group leader, a member of the church choir, or a member of many committees, she poured her heart and soul into serving the church and others.

Marian was a stranger to no one, and she loved telling stories of being born in Germany, in a stranger’s house in a small rural village after being evacuated from Berlin during the Allied bombing, or of the family’s adventures while living in Australia. She was loved wherever she went. She greeted everyone with a smile. Everyone was a friend or family to her. The stairs, couch, or dining room table of the Harmon house was where friends and family gathered and spent time talking with Marian. She was a second mom to many members of the church youth group, neighborhood kids, and the friends of Marian and Skip’s children.

For a large portion of Marian’s last twenty years, since the passing of her beloved Skip, she experienced significant health issues, too many to share. A three-time cancer survivor, and having lost many friends and family to cancer, she spent many years raising money through the American Cancer Society’s annual walk. She formed a Fox Valley Presbyterian Church team and recruited church members, family, and friends to walk with her. Marian and her team raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years, and she was steadfast in her commitment to stay all night at Cougars Stadium and walk! She did not want her health issues to stop her from helping others.

Marian loved her family and friends. She loved her brothers and their families, Harken cousins and family, her Harmon in-laws, whom she thought of as siblings, and all of her nieces and nephews and their children. Her neighborhood girlfriends, neighbors who were more like family, her fellow youth group leaders, or others from church- they all meant the world to Marian.

Marian was first and foremost the heart of the Harmon family. She loved her children, grandchildren, and their spouses, bragging and talking about each of them to anyone willing to listen. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren shine and attended many games, concerts, competitions, and celebrations like graduation. Marian loved celebrating birthdays and holidays, and was known for sending birthday cards and making birthday calls (usually singing) to loved ones and friends. Marian will be dearly missed by her friends and family, but is now in heaven and back together with her husband, Skip.

Marian is survived by her daughters, Vicki (Jim) Adamson of Litchfield Park, AZ, and Christy (Paul) Molidor of Bartlett, IL; her son, Jason (Jill) Harmon of Batavia, IL.; her grandchildren, James, Gaby (Michael), Maddie (Tyler), Alexa (Emi), Haley, Kyle, Matthew, Joshua, and Emma; her 1st great-grandchild-to-be due in December; her brother, Keith Harken of Waterloo, IA; her brother-in-law, Jay Harmon of Naples, FL; and by many nieces and nephews and their families.

Marian is preceded in death by her husband, Marshall “Skip” Harmon; her brother, Frank Harken; her sisters-in-law, Karolyn “Dee” Harmon, Cindy Harmon, and Theresa Harken; her parents; and many other loved ones of generations before.

A visitation will take place Sunday September 20, 2026 at Yurs Funeral Home (405 East Main Street, Saint Charles, IL 60174) from 2:00-5:00 P.M. The Funeral service will be the following day on Monday September 22nd, 2026 at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church (227 East Side Dr, Geneva, IL 60134) at 2:00 P.M. Interment will be  September 22nd at 11:00 A.M. at Waterloo Memorial Park 3430 W 4th St,  Waterloo, Iowa. 50701

*Marian and Skip loved donating money when they could to a variety of charities, and they loved giving their time to serve others. Consider donating, big or small, to a charity of your choice, or better yet, consider serving others by giving your time and God-given gifts to help others. No need to do it in Marian’s name; that was never her way.

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