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Hawker, Harlan W.
Harlan W. Hawker, 86, of Cedar Falls, formerly of Monticello, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello, where a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Al Polito. Inurnment will be at a later date in Oakwood Cemetery.
Harlan was born Nov. 2, 1926, in West Liberty, Iowa, the son of Dewey and Olga (Smith) Hawker. He graduated from West Liberty High School with the class of 1946, and served in the U.S. Army during 1946 and 1947. On March 21, 1948, he married Selma Otten in Monticello. He began his career in insurance with Jones County Farm Bureau as an agent and eventually managed the Castle Grove Mutual Insurance Co. until retiring in the late 1980s. He was a past president of the County Mutual Insurance Association of Iowa, where he earned both the PRIME Award and the national Merit Award. Harlan was also chairman of the cemetery board in Monticello.
Harlan belonged to the Monticello Rotary Club and served as secretary for several years and was a past president. He was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge 173 and served as secretary there also for many years.
He and Selma were longtime members of the United Church of Monticello. They enjoyed square dancing, traveling and playing cards. Harlan's other hobbies included gardening, watching the Hawkeyes and golfing.
Survivors include his wife, Selma; a daughter, Linda (Ken) McMullen of Cedar Falls; a son, Doug (Lauran) Hawker of Napa, Calif.; four grandchildren, Cory (Darcie) Oelberg of Carlisle, Scott (Chrissy) Oelberg of Des Moines, Morgan Hawker of Fort Collins, Colo., and Hannah Hawker of San Marcos, Calif.; and six great-grandchildren, Camryn, Landon, Ethan, Lucy, Andy and Emma Oelberg.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Dennis Wayne; and a brother, Robert Hawker.
Memorials are preferred to Camp Courageous of Iowa.
Information available and condolences accepted at www.kramerfuneral.com.
Published Nov. 29, 2012 in The Gazette
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