Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) Kaye Nussbaum was born to Victor and Lucille Nussbaum on September 24, 1934 in Berne, Indiana.

She grew up in Berne, Indiana, a small Swiss community, named for Bern, Switzerland. Her heritage was important to her having grown up in a community so influenced by its roots. Her own family was close-knit, and her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were a big part of my life.
Joan was the oldest of the three Nussbaum girls. Her father and mother had understood the good news of God's saving grace through evangelists and pastors. The family loved Jesus and frequently attended Bible conferences in Winona Lake, Indiana.

In her words:
During my growing-up years I became painfully aware of my stubbornness, selfishness, pride and disobedience to God. I knew from the Bible that the penalty for my wrongdoing is death and eternal separation from God in hell. How I longed to be free from this awful penalty.

I was deeply touched by the Biblical accounts of Jesus' death on the cross for me. Many times I prayed asking Jesus Christ to come into my life and to forgive me, but I did not believe that He granted my request, and so I would ask again. Something else bothered me: I had been taught the biblical truth that faith in Jesus is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but faith was a concept that I did not understand. For several years I struggled with my doubts and fears.

In the gracious providence of God, I heard a sermon in Winona Lake that beautifully met my need. The preacher used a chair to demonstrate what faith is. He pointed out that each of us acts in faith many times every day. Every time we rest in a chair, we place our faith in that chair. Finally, I understood that faith in Jesus Christ meant resting in Him (and His death, burial, and resurrection for me).

At that moment I simply trusted in Jesus and his death in my place as my only hope for eternal life. My doubts and fears vanished. God's peace seemed to surround and fill me, and I was at rest. Since then, God's peace continues to assure me that I am His child.

She graduated high school in Berne, Indiana in May 1952. Last summer we were able to attend her 70th high school reunion. She loved being back in Berne and spending time with many friends and family.

In her words:
After high school, I did not have a clue about what I would do with my life. I worked for 3 years in a furniture factory in my hometown, but I became restless and concerned  about my future. In the spring of 1955 my younger sister expressed her desire to attend Grace Bible Institute. She asked if I would be willing to go with her. I was impressed with Grace having heard their choir and various professors. I began to consider the possibility.

Romans 12:1-2 became key: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." I saw clearly that in order to know God's will for my life, I must first give my life completely to Him, and that was the sticking point for me. I had asked God to know His will, not necessarily because I was committed to obeying Him. I still wanted control. I wanted veto power. I wanted to say, "yes," or "no" to God.

I understood that God was also asking me to refuse to let the world "squeeze me into its mold", and to get into God's Word and apply it to my life, in order that I would be transformed by it. Then God promised to lead me. I committed my life to God to do His will. The moment I gave myself to God, no strings attached, I had confidence that He was leading me to Grace. My sister Donna and I both attended Grace.

Joan was fortunate to go to Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska and there she met a young farm boy, Hubert Francis (Fran) Harwerth. They started dating but Fran's dad died suddenly. They continued their courtship during this difficult time. When Fran finished settling all the farm and crop responsibilities, he returned to Omaha and asked Joan to marry him. Since Joan had a great adrenal problem, she told him that a doctor had said that he was not sure she could have any children. That wasn't a problem to him. Joan would honor the Lord by passionately and actively serving Jesus alongside Fran.

After their wedding on August 16, 1958, the new young couple headed to Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. Joan worked at the Free Methodist Headquarters as an editor of a mission newsletter. During their early married life and seminary days, they felt they needed experience in ministry. The Lord opened up the opportunity for them to travel to a church in Idaville, Indiana and preach each weekend.

Fran graduated from Grace Seminary in May 1961, and three months later Scott was born as their first little miracle. Two weeks later Fran, Joan, and baby Scott moved to Colby, Kansas where they started their life's ministry with a small home Bible study. This would be the beginning of a church plant in Colby, Kansas. Though some said it was the wrong group to start with, by God's grace it led to a vibrant church. Their second miracle baby, Brent, was born 2 years later.

Joan was a wonderful caring mother. She prayed. She forgave. She took great pleasure in her children and later her grandchildren and great grandchildren. For birthdays she would type up a special personalized message for the child and give them a verse for the year. It was always so thoughtful, kind, and encouraging. When she was wrapping presents, they were so beautiful and perfect. She made cross-stitched wall hangings for each of her grandchildren.

She was a mom who grew in godly Christian character over the years. She held the family together. She has been a major part of everything we do, particularly her communication and wisdom. She felt so blessed to have children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Fran often said to her, "You have been such a great wife and mother!"

Joan was a perfectionist is whatever she did. She loved to sew and it was to perfection. She made suits for the boys out of a man's suit. She made bedspreads and curtains. She made a surf board sailboat sail. She was amazing. In Colby she had a wonderful garden, she loved flowers and plants. African Violets were her specialty. She loved to watch birds and see their beautiful colors. She loved hummingbirds. She loved music and loved to sing. She decorated her Christmas tree with style. She cooked, and cleaned, and read the mail. She loved doing puzzles. She even laughed at Fran's humor, most of the time.

Her first and most effective ministry was to her husband as an encourager. He says that she encouraged him over and over again. She would say, "Hang in there." She loved supporting Fran in any way she could. She proved to be a true helpmate and overwhelming support in their calling. She loved working from home. Although introverted, she loved people. She was tenderhearted, aways available to help in counseling. She listened and encouraged. She did the bulletin, watered church flowers and made food for others. She made goodies and hosted caroling parties at Christmas. She was a Sunday School teacher, VBS worker, taught Bible classes for women. There was no limit to what she did in their many years of ministry. She was a great unpaid worker, always "doing" for others. She had a much greater influence than she ever realized or than anyone could imagine.

She was known for her musical abilities. At her first piano lesson she wrongly thought that she would instantly be able to run her fingers all over the keyboard. Though disappointed she began to practice and her music ability at the piano became wonderful as she shared it with the church family. She was the church pianist for many years.

She served with joy wherever she was needed in the church. Although Joan worked outside the home early on, once her children were born, she took her job as a mother and pastor's wife very seriously. She stayed home to raise her boys and to be available to the church family. Not only did she share all of her love to her family but also her church family. She devoted many hours as a caring pastor's wife.

Her favorite verse was Lamentations 3:22, 23, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness." She hung her hat on God being the faithful One to her.

In 1992 she began to struggle with back pain. She discovered that pain can be used by God for good not evil. Her pain led her to verses that said things like, "In all these difficult things we are more than conquerors & God will graciously give us all things." Verses in Deuteronomy 8 were used in her life to help her understand how He was using her pain to humble and test her…so that in the end it might go well with her. The Lord her God would care for her as a father cares for his child all along the way as she traveled through the wilderness of pain. In her pain she says, "God has been so gracious to me!" Joan patiently allowed Jesus to work in her heart over and over again. It benefited all those around her.

She served faithfully alongside her husband at the Colby Berean Church for 43 years 8 months. They served from September 1961 until May 2005. They started with a baby son and a baby church. God brought many wonderful people to the church. They enjoyed a ministry that only God could give and formed life-long friendships.

During retirement they moved to Ainsworth, Nebraska to be closer to family where they would continue to be a ministry team serving churches needing interim pastors. Joan was nervous about this new ministry. She wondered if she would be accepted and be able to be effective. She found herself inspired in her new role. Often these were churches that had a difficult experience and hurt would be everywhere. They have taken many challenges and used it as an opportunity to touch lives with the gospel. Everywhere they have served it was seen that her one and only passion in life was to serve Jesus.

In July 2016, Fran and Joan decided it was time to really retire and move closer to their son, Brent, in Fort Morgan. Joan was 82. She has served as she was able with us here at the Fort Morgan Berean Church where She became Grandma to many.

In August Fran and Joan celebrated 65 Years together. Joan desired that Christ would be glorified though their relationship and in their family. They were such a unit. You didn't see one without the other. She wanted to spread God's fame and His glory.

As we reflect on her life, we can rejoice together knowing she met her Savior face to face Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. She has faithfully run the race and heard Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord."

Left to grieve is her loving husband, Fran Harwerth of Fort Morgan, Colorado; Her two sons Scott Harwerth & wife Ginger and Brent Harwerth & wife Valerie; Her sisters Donna Conwell and Alice Burke; Her 9 grandchildren (all Harwerth's except where noted); Nathaniel & wife Ashley, Stephen & wife Anna, Trevor & wife Mallory, Paul, Luke, Derek & wife Ellen, Amanda, Jason, Charissa Tschetter & husband Samuel; and Her grand-children Titus, Elizabeth (Ellie), Caleb, William (Liam), Ezra, and Abigail Joan (Joan was so excited for the newest and to hear her name). Joan is proceeded in death by her parents Victor & Lucille Nussbaum and her brothers-in-law Boyd Conwell and Fred Burke.

A visitation has been scheduled for Thursday, September 14th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Rowanoak Mortuary & Crematory located at 231 S. Sherman Street in Fort Morgan, Colorado. A funeral service will occur the next day, Friday, September 15th at the Berean Bible Church, 211 West Beaver Avenue, Fort Morgan, Colorado at 10:00am. A procession to the graveside will follow, and all in attendance are invited to a funeral luncheon back at the Berean Bible Church.

Condolences are appreciated and can be given by phone, email, mail or in person: (970) 380-6867; brentharwerth@gmail.com;  Fran Harwerth, 523 E Platte Avenue, Fort Morgan, CO 80701.