Gutz, Harlan H. (1937-2005)

GUTZ, HOBERMAN, HANSEN, OATMAN, ROBERTS, KOLANOWSKI, HILDMAN, MACOSKEY

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/19/2010 at 21:20:05

Harlan H. Gutz - July 17, 1937 - Sept. 2, 2005

Harlan H. Gutz, age 68, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Friday, September 2, 2005, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake after a seven month battle with renal cancer.

Harlan Herbert Gutz, son of Herbert Carl and Leora (Hoberman) Gutz, was born on July 17, 1937, at his parent’s farm home in Grant Township, rural Storm Lake. He was the oldest of three boys. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where he was baptized, confirmed, and attended grade school at the parochial school. His baptismal sponsors were his maternal grandparents, Will and Minnie Hoberman.

Harlan graduated with the class of 1955 from Newell High School. He attended Iowa State College and the University of Iowa. Then in 1972, as a married father of three and having full time employment, he graduated from Buena Vista College with a bachelor’s degree in business by attending night school and spending vacation hours attending summer school. His young family proudly attended his graduation.

In November of 1959, he joined the Army Reserves and served until October of 1965. When he completed his basic training, he worked on a paving crew between Highway 20 and Arthur, Iowa, until he earned enough money to buy his girlfriend, Audrey Hansen, an engagement ring. Harlan and Audrey were united in marriage on August 21, 1960, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Albert City, Iowa. To this union were born three children: William Harlan, Stephanie Audrey and Marianna Leigh. Harlan was very proud of his children and was an avid fan of their scholastic, sports and music endeavors and also admired them as adults.

During their married life, the family lived in Aurelia, Grinnell, Nemaha and Storm Lake. Harlan was employed at Montgomery Ward, Birdsell Furniture, Citizen’s First National Bank, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance and in 1975 joined Anderson Brass where he became a co-owner with his brother Mel. In retirement in 2002, he started his own business called Radio Road Wood and learned woodworking and sold hardwood, fulfilling one of his life dreams. He and Mel also began helping their brother Dennis with planting and harvest seasons. This Iowa “farm boy at heart” felt he was one of the most fortunate people on earth to work with both of his brothers.

He put his woodworking talents to work at his church, St. John Lutheran, by making a picture frame for a large reclaimed oil painting from a previous St. John church. Over the years, he served as a Sunday school teacher, financial secretary, usher and Lay Minister. Support of LCMS mission projects was of extreme importance to him.

He was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling with his family, liked to watch an Iowa State basketball game, and never passed up a slice of banana cream or cherry pie. His favorite secular holiday was the 4th of July which the extended Gutz family celebrated with exuberance for over 50 years! He felt that fairness and honesty were important to his character and that family, friends and business associates should be treated in that manner.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey, Storm Lake; children: William, Blue Grass, Stephanie, Chicago, IL, and Marianna, Scottsdale, AZ; step mother Doris Gutz, Storm Lake; brothers: Dennis and Tania Gutz, Newell and Melvin and Susan Gutz, Storm Lake; sister-in-law John and Joann Oatman, Storm Lake; brother-in-law Norman Hansen, Kimball, MN; nephews, Ryan Gutz, Chicago, IL and Derek Gutz, Seattle, WA; and four nieces—his God Children—Sue Oatman Roberts, Minneapolis, MN, Ann Oatman Kolanowski, Colleyville, TX, Jennifer Gutz Hildman, Sioux City, and Carrie Oatman Macoskey, Cottage Grove, MN. Harlan is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins especially his uncle and aunt Wilbert and Yvonne Hoberman, whose frequent acts of love during his trials, sustained him and his family. Harlan will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by his family and friends.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2005, at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City, Iowa, with Military Honors by Storm Lake AMVETS Post #66. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

Visitation will be Monday, September 5, 2005, from 4 till 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 till 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
 

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