Kristine "Kris" Harms

Kristine “Kris” Jane Harms age 73, of Brookings, and formerly of Huron, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Dougherty Hospice House-Sioux Falls, after a short battle with cancer.

Her graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Huron.

Kris was born July 28, 1952, to Ellwood and Phyllis (Kouf) Harms in Huron. She grew up in Huron, spending large portion of her life there, graduating high school, attending college at Huron University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and eventually raising her family there. While in college she met Doug Murano, Sr., and they married on August 17, 1974, and were married for over 20 years. During their marriage they were blessed with three sons, Rocco, Doug, Jr. and Joel.

Early in life she took an interest in animals, and was frequently found at her parent’s farm west of Huron, where they raised and showed quarter horses and Ponies of America (POA) horses.

She was passionate educator for her entire life, filling various teaching and administrative roles over her 50 year career. Most recently, she was a science teacher at Arlington School until her death. She loved her students, and judging from the overwhelming outreach of love from them during this time it is clear that she made a big impact on their lives.

Early in her career, she taught at several rural schools in eastern South Dakota. Later she gained a Master’s degree and eventually Doctorate of Education, both of which were used to educate college students at several universities. Kristine was the chair of the education department at Huron (Si Tanka) University at the time of it’s closure. Additionally, she worked at Dakota State University, mentoring education majors and guiding them through student teaching. Never afraid take on new challenges, she worked as a consultant for many schools late in her career, before deciding to get back into the classroom as a teacher. Her positive impact on students, school administrators, and all that crossed paths with her will be felt well beyond her time on this earth.

Kris inherited a green thumb from her parents, and loved to garden and raise flowers. She had a passion for baking and canning, and loved the outdoors with some of her fondest memories to include decades worth of summer vacations to Silver City, SD with her family. She made sure to pass on her lifetime of knowledge to her boys and grandchildren. Kris loved to hunt and fish and harvested a deer only a month before her diagnosis

Kris leaves behind her three sons, Rocco of Brookings, Doug (Jessica) of Brookings and Joel (Abby) of Aberdeen; along with 10 grandchildren, Audrey, Parker, Emmett, Rocco, Eva, Franny, Luca, Max, Riggs and Hattie, all of whom she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ellwood and Phyllis Harms; Norm (uncle) and Lurane (aunt) Schroeder, Rhonda Bell(cousin), and her grandson, Charlie Murano whom she undoubtedly will be holding close upon her arrival to heaven.

In lieu of flowers, condolences can be sent to: Joel Murano, 1508 Meadowbrooke Ct, Aberdeen SD 57401.