Katherine was born on October 26, 1867, to Henry and Catherine (Denhart) Harms in Washington.  She was a 1884 graduate of Washington High School at sixteen years of age, in a graduating class of eight students, all girls.  This was the 6th graduating class in city history.  After a few years teaching out of the city, she began teaching at Washington Grade School in the 1890s.

As one of her co-workers described her: "She is remembered for her sense of fair play, her able way of making clear difficult steps, and her sincere interest in all her pupils.  No one ever left Miss Harms' room unenlightened in the devious ways of long division and fractions."

Katherine was also significantly involved in civic activities instrumental in the development of Washington at the time:

• She was a long-time member of the Leisure Hour Club

• She was on committees for the execution of the homecoming celebrations during the 1910s

• She was a long-time member and officer of the city's American Red Cross chapter.

• She was a charter member and one-time president (1936-1938) of the Women's Club.

• She was a charter member of the Garden Club.

• She was a life-long member of the Lutheran faith and taught Sunday school at St. Mark's Lutheran Church for more than fifty years.

• She was one of the organizers of the city's 1935 Out of Debt Celebration: 

Katherine passed away on February 6, 1957, at the age of 89, after decades of faithful service to her community.  She is buried in Glendale Cemetery.