Amanda "Mandi" Marie Harms

Amanda “Mandi” Harms was born on January 14, 1978, in Muskogee, Oklahoma.   She attended Oktaha High School where she was a cheerleader and participated in gymnastics.  In her younger years, she was a member of Boulevard Christian Church where she met her future husband, Erik Harms.  After the couple married, Mandi and Erik moved to Illinois where Mandi worked while attending college at Western Illinois University.  Mandi obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  She continued her education while working as a math teacher and ultimately earned a Master’s Degree in Education.   

Mandi taught in the Illinois school system for 22 years, during which time she also served a term as the President of the School Board Union for the Sherrard School District.  Mandi was passionate about teaching math and helping her students.  She would often stay late or come early to tutor students.   She recently moved back to Muskogee to be near family and was teaching at Ben Franklin Academy at the time of her death.   

Mandi is survived by her husband Erik Harms, children Brianna Harms, Austin Harms, and Brooke Harms, as well as her parents, Mitchell and Shelley Townsend, her sisters, Natalie Townsend and Crystal Johnson, as well as a myriad of nieces and nephews, one grandchild, and many other relatives and friends.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.  Celebration of life services will be held Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Christian Center in Eufaula.  Private burial to occur at Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah, Oklahoma. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Education Foundation of Muskogee.  

The family has entrusted Mandi’s love and care to the loving staff of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita, Ok.