Louella C. “Lou” Harman, 68 years, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away at 3:20 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2016 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She had been a resident at Hillside Country Living for the past 7 years. Louella was born August 10, 1947 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Alban William Curtze and Virginia Marie (Shissler) Curtze.
Lou was a 1965 graduate of Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan in 1969, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, with majors in English and German. While at Hillsdale College, she met and later married Dennis S. Harman of Bryan, on May 26, 1970 at Hope Lutheran Church in Fostoria, Ohio.
Louella began her teaching career in Homer, Michigan. Upon moving to Bryan, Louella continued her teaching career at Hilltop High School in West Unity, Four County Joint Vocational High School and at Bryan High School. Upon her retirement from full time teaching, she continued as a frequent substitute teacher. She further pursed her interest in interior design and started a small independent interior design and consulting business. One of her passions was drying flowers and using them to create framed memories of weddings and special occasions for her customers and friends. In 1994, when Williams County formed the United Way of Williams County, Lou served as the first Executive Director and worked tirelessly to coordinate the various county United Way programs into one county wide fundraising effort.
Lou was very active in civic affairs her entire life. She was a past member of Newlyn Quest, Bryan Civic League, Williams County PanHellenic and the Bryan Rotary Club. Lou served on many committees and was very active with the YMCA. She was designated in 1996 as the YWCA Woman of Achievement in Civic Affairs. Lou was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the former Orchard Hills Country Club.
Lou is survived by her husband, Dennis; one sister, Jean Curtze Carroll of Erie, Pennsylvania and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Edward Curtze.
Funeral services for Louella C. “Lou” Harman will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 20, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Center Street, Bryan with Pastor Mary Beth Smith-Gunn officiating. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery, Bryan. Visitation for Lou Harman will be held Sunday, June 19, 2016 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan. The family will also receive friends one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.
Memorial contributions in the name of Louella C. “Lou” Harman are requested to either the Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio, 2500 North Reynolds Road, Toledo, Ohio, 43615, Hillside Country Living Activity Fund, 09876 County Road 16, Bryan, Ohio 43506, Community Health Professionals Hospice, 127 Blakeslee Avenue, Bryan, Ohio 43506, or to Trinity Lutheran Church, 509 Center Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506.
Condolences may be sent to the family or the online guest book may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com