Evelyn Jean (Tanis) Harmon

Evelyn Jean Harmon of Fremont, Michigan passed away on Saturday evening, March 15, 2025.  She was 97 at the time of her passing. 

Evelyn was born on November 11, 1927 to Gilbert Tanis Sr. and Doris (Dykman) Tanis in Reeman, Michigan. She was raised in a large country family focused on hard work and self-reliance that included group efforts towards farming, gardening, baking, cooking and canning. 

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Donald Harmon, who passed away on September 10, 2010. Evelyn and Donald met when Donald visited West Michigan after serving in the Navy in World War II, and they very quickly fell in love, married and started their family and to build their own home in Reeman. 

Evelyn was also preceded in passing by her siblings Les Tanis, Donna Mae Wilson, Gilbert Tanis Jr., Alvin Tanis, Jerry Tanis, Pauline Tanis, Gladys Lauritzen, and her daughter Sandra Woodward. 

She is survived by her sister Charlotte Andrews, son Doug (Holly) Harmon, son Phillip (Lori) Harmon, grandchildren Drew (Leila) Harmon, Lola (Mark) Ramsey, Alex Harmon, and Zoe (Nick) Wilbur. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Cayman Ramsey, Troy Ramsey, Wesley Wilbur, and upcoming addition baby Wilbur, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Evelyn graduated from Fremont High School and worked a variety of jobs, always with a determination to be productive and valuable, including time spent at a grocery store and an apple processing facility. She also remained self-reliant and ambitiously frugal through her entire life as she sought out the best bargains at yard sales and visits to the Amish Store. 

Evelyn continued her passion for fresh, homegrown food throughout her entire life as she maintained multiple large gardens as long as she was physically capable, spending many long hours tending to produce that she would share with family and friends and often canning and freezing large quantities every year to ensure her loved ones always had access to quality meals. She was also a prodigious baker, arriving at every family gathering with large quantities of delicious baked goods that included her beloved baked rolls and sweet treats that included her famous sugar cookies, dubbed “Evie Cakes” by those who had the opportunity to enjoy them. 

Services for Evelyn will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Faith Baptist Church in Fremont with Evelyn’s nephew, Pastor Bryan Tanis officiating.  Visitation will begin one hour before service, with a luncheon to follow the service. Evelyn will be interred in Maple Grove Cemetery with her husband Donald.  Suggested Memorial:  The Newaygo County Compassion Home.  You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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