DERR, Harlan E. 1951-2009

DERR, OLSON, KRAUSE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/20/2009 at 14:11:55

RUDD, IOWA - Harlan E. Derr, 58, of Rudd died Thursday (June 18, 2009) from injuries sustained in a car accident.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 22, at Rudd United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wendy Johannesen officiating. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery, Rudd.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs. Memorials may be directed to the family in memory of Harlan.

Harlan was born March 24, 1951, in Cresco, the son of Edward Gerald and Hazel Alveda (Olson) Derr. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1970.

Harlan married Bonny (Krause) on Dec. 29, 1979, at Rudd United Methodist Church in Rudd; to this union two sons were born. Harlan worked at both Westway Trading Co. in Rudd and the Rudd Lumber and Hardware Co. until he started his job as a painter for Creative Aluminum Products Co., a division of Winnebago, where he had worked for 26 years.

Harlan was known as a simple man that enjoyed the little things in life, whether it be spending time with his grandchildren or his wife Bunny's day care children. He enjoyed watching NASCAR with his friends, and attending his son's sporting events.

Every weekend, Harlan looked forward to grilling and camping with friends at Gates Bridge, which he and his wife considered their second home. He also enjoyed attending card shows with his son, Chris, when he was younger and was known to be everybody's handyman. Harlan's family described him as a great husband, father, grandfather and brother. Harlan was also a member of Rudd United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Bonny, of Rudd; his son, Christopher (Chelsie) Derr of Titonka, and Travis Derr, of Mason City; grandchildren, Aly Josephine Derr and Brinlyn Sage Derr, of Titonka; his sister, Shari (Joe) Hart, of Charles City; and his brothers, Lelan Derr and Galen Derr; his nieces and nephews, Tammy (Randy) Barnard of New Virginia, Iowa, Stacy (Liz) Braun of Omaha, Neb., Michelle (Mark) English of West Des Moines, Jessica Michels and her fianc�, Tony, of Annadale, Minn., Tricia (Andy) Hultengren, of Killeen, Texas, Rob Hart, of Council Bluffs and Tracy Hart of Iowa City; his sisters-in-law, Barbara (James) Braun of Forest City, Brenda Krause of Rudd, and Becky (Gary) Michels of LeSueur, Minn.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-ieces, nephews and friends.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Hazel Derr; and his mother and father-in-law, James and Norma Krause.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 641-749-2210. www.colonialchapels.com

[Published in the Mason City Globe Gazette online, 6/20/2009]