HARBERTS, Loren Dale 1924-2002

HARBERTS, VAN HAUEN, BLAU

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/23/2008 at 20:35:47

Loren Dale Herbert’s was born March 1, 1924, on a farm near George, Lyon county, Iowa, the son of Harm and Marie (Van Hauen) Harberts. Loren was raised on the family farm east of George where he attended the Dale #2 country school. He was baptized at the Zoar Presbyterian Church located east of George.

In July of 1944. Loren enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country in the 24th Infantry Division; 19th Infantry Regiment until he was honorable discharged on August 15, 1946. Loren Served in the Philippines as a Staff Sergeant, earning an Occupation medal, Victory medal and a Bronze Star for his devoted efforts.

When he returned home from the service in 1946, he drove truck for Koerselman Brothers of George until 1951. On March 22, 1950, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Blau at the First Baptist Church of George. In 1951, they moved to Stockholm, South Dakota where they farmed until 1953. In 1953, they moved to a farm 3 miles north and one and a half mile east of Little Rock, Lyon county, Iowa. They farmed there until they retired in 1994, and moved into their current home in Little Rock.

Along with farming, Loren sold Dekalb Seed Corn for many years. During his life and during his retired years he kept very busy with his family. He enjoyed fishing and boating-especially when he could pull the grandchildren on a tube behind the boat. He also enjoyed traveling south during the winters, World War II history, music, attending quartet conventions, making assorted lawn ornaments, squirrel and bird feeders, collecting hats, and attending his grandchildren's church and school events.

In 1994 he was awarded a Century Farm Award and in 2000, Loren and Sylvia celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. His children will always remember their dad for his ability to hit a softball one-handed after the chores were done, and in the later years he enjoyed a casual drive around in his pick-up to check the crops. Loren was an active member of the American Legion in Little Rock for forty-five years, past president of the Little Rock Community School Board for twelve years, and a member of Town and Country Club in Little Rock. He was an active member at the Salem Reformed Church of Little Rock since 1957. Loren served as deacon and elder, sang in the adult and men's choirs and also sang in quartets at Zoar Presbyterian and Salem Reformed Churches. Loren died on Sunday, October 13, 2002, at Sibley Nursing and Rehabilita¬tion Center in Sibley, Osceola county, Iowa at the age of seventy-eight.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Sylvia; five children, Darrell (Jean) Harberts of Portales. New Mexico; Joleen (Harold) DeJong of Ellsworth, Minnesota; Carol (Patrick) Morgan of Spencer, Iowa; Lennis (Marvella) Harberts of Sibley, Iowa and Donell (Lori) Harberts of Rock Valley, Iowa; seventeen grandchildren, Rachel, Daniel and David Harberts of Portales, New Mexico; Jean Janetta (John) Harberts Swopes of Roswell, New Mexico: Heath (Wendy) DeJong of Little Rock, Iowa; Stephanie (Chris) DeJong Asche of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Courtnie (Michael) DeJong Fleshman of Larchwood, Iowa; Allison DeJong of Ellsworth, Minnesota; Todd Morgan of Iowa City, Iowa: Anne Morgan of Spencer, Iowa; Chelsea, Keshia, Jurnea and Britta Harberts of Sibley, Iowa; Derek, Taylor and Brendan Harberts of Rock Valley, Iowa; five great-grandchildren, Nathan Carlson and Hunter DeJong of Little Rock, Iowa; Jeanie Swopes of Roswell, New Mexico; Justin Harberts-Miller of Portales. New Mexico: and Jayden Asche of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; along with one brother, Orval (Margaret) Harberts of George, Iowa; and three sisters, Ethel (Marlyn) Wibben of Ellsworth, Minnesota; Marie (Ron) Niebruegge of Spirit Lake, Iowa; and Sharon (Marvin) Schultz of Courtland, Minnesota. Loren was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Marlys Jurrens and one granddaughter, Mary Lynn Harberts.

Funeral services for Loren Harberts were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday October 17, 2002 at Salem Reformed Church, Little Rock, Iowa with interment in Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Iowa. Graveside military honors were provided by the Buss-Johnson Post #316. American Legion of Little Rock.

(From funeral program)