Mildred Maxine (Day) Harman

Mildred Maxine Harman died peacefully at home in Nampa, Idaho on January 5, 2021.  She was attended by her son, Paul and daughter-in-law, Cheryl. Maxine was born in Arnold Nebraska, February 21, 1926. As a child, her parents moved the family from Nebraska to Wyoming, to escape the dust bowl.  Her early years consisted of watching her two younger siblings so her mom could help with the chores on the farm. She attended school in a one room schoolhouse and rode a horse to school. She finished her education in 1944 and married Ray Harman. Together they moved to Spokane while he recovered from his World War II injuries. In the early years of their marriage, they could only afford to eat meat once a week, when she would happily welcome relatives to eat with them. Later they moved so Ray could attend the University of Missouri to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. While they were there, they welcomed first child Dan. After Ray graduated, he went to look for housing in Cody, WY. Meanwhile Maxine stayed with family and gave birth to their second child Regena. While the family of four lived in Cody, Maxine gave birth to their third child, Paul. She had a big heart for her family and everyone she encountered. As Ray advanced in his career, the family moved several times. While in Billings, Maxine opened their home and cared for those who needed it. She housed an unwed mother, cared for an infant with a heart condition, fostered her nephew and nieces, and cared and prayed for many other foster children. Along this journey they met Linda who they fostered and later adopted as their fourth child. Ray and Maxine were active members in their church. Following her own passion for music, her heart for people, and her heart after God, she sang in church choirs, started a children’s choir, and continued to volunteer in other roles in the church.

After Ray retired, Maxine joined him in traveling across the country on motorcycles to visit friends and family. Their love of travel also expanded worldwide to include Israel, Australia, Europe, and the British Isles. When they were at home, they continued to help the people in their community by teaching finance classes at Love Inc, hosting Bible studies, and teaching Sunday school. Ray and Maxine were married for sixty years before he preceded her in death. After his passing, she continued her life’s passion of serving those around her. In 2008, she met and married Wayne Rasey. Together they continued traveling to Yuma, Arizona. A trip that each of them had enjoyed in their previous marriages. In their eleven years together, Wayne and Maxine made friends with everyone they met and were a source of great comfort to each other. Wayne preceded her in death, and Maxine continued to love people and serve God for the rest of her life.

Maxine is survived by her sister Marjorie Brothwell; her four children, Dan Harman (Lin Kirschemann), Regena Davidson (Tim Davidson), Paul Harman (Cheryl Lehrkind), and Lynda Patterson (Bill Patterson); Nine Grandchildren, Gail, Amber, Andrew, Alex, William, Jeremy, Christina, Sophia, and Jonathan; and twelve great-grandchildren Tucker, Payton, Fletcher, Ariel, Tanner, Megan, Mia, Emily, Abi, Alivia, Lillian and Kaylee.

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