Alice Ruth Harfst

Born on October 16, 1946, in Meta, Missouri, Alice was the youngest of six children to the late Alfred Harfst and Elise Harfst (née Groene). She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Babbtown, MO and graduated from Fatima High School in Westphalia, MO in 1964.

Alice eventually moved to Kansas City, MO where she dedicated a long and distinguished career as a civil servant with the Social Security Administration. She took great pride in easing recipients' concerns and ensuring proper benefits were distributed, especially to adolescent survivors. She also made many dear friends among her colleagues. Following her retirement, she continued to serve her community as a devoted volunteer at North Kansas City Hospital.

A lifelong fan of baseball, Alice held an immense love for the Kansas City Royals. For four decades, she was a season-ticket holder and was well-known by many fans and members of the Royals organization at Kauffman Stadium.

Alice’s love for her family was tremendous. Throughout her life she counted her siblings amongst her closest friends. She considered her 16 nieces and nephews, along with their spouses and children, to be "her kids." A beloved family tradition was the personalized crocheted Christmas stockings, or "socks," that she lovingly made for each family member, totaling more than 100 stockings throughout her life.

Her deep faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior was expressed through her faithful service and long-time membership at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kansas City. It was there that she served as a Sunday School teacher, volunteer, and committee member, and her time with the church brought her great joy and countless friends. It was also through her church activities that she met Neva Gibson, who became her lifelong best friend of fifty years.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Elise Harfst; her sister, Arline Mueller and husband Adolph; her brother, Roland Harfst and wife Mary; her brother, Lloyd Harfst; and her niece, Janet Harfst Farfan.

She is survived by her brother, Gene Harfst and wife Laverne; sister-in-law, Marilyn Harfst; brother, Bob Harfst and wife Kay; her beloved best friend, Neva Gibson; her nephews Alvin Mueller, Arnold Mueller, Arthur Mueller, Kevin Harfst, Dale Harfst, Jim Harfst, David Harfst, Rick Harfst, Rob Harfst, Randy Harfst, and Ryan Harfst; and her nieces Brenda Simmons, Sharon Riechers, Carol Marshall, and Darlene Nelson. She is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A funeral service for Alice will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 22nd at Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 2003 NE Englewood Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118. The service will be preceded by a visitation beginning at 9:00AM at the church. Following the funeral service, a family service and burial will take place at St. John's Lutheran - Babbtown later in the day. The family requests memorials be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or North Kansas City Hospital.

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