Braafhart, Jr., Harry (1943-2022)

BRAAFHART, JARMIN, KANE, BALLENGER, DAHLIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/9/2022 at 16:56:55

Obituary

Harry Braafhart, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Copper Shores Village in Pleasant Hill with his family surrounding him. Harry was born July 25, 1943 in Pella, Iowa to Harry Sr. and Gail (Jarmin) Braafhart. He graduated from Pella High School in 1961. He proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Saratoga. Harry married Mary Gayle (Kane) in 1964. He served on the Pella Police Force for 2 years, followed by the Iowa State Patrol for 18 years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 1984. He was a part of Governor Robert D. Ray’s detail, which enabled him to travel all over the world. After retirement from the State Patrol, Harry became a Private Investigator. He was also employed by the Des Moines Register as Director of Security, and for the Iowa Lottery as Director of Lottery Security from 1985 to 2008. Harry was a member of Elks Lodge #98 in Pleasant Hill, where he served as Exalted Ruler from 2017 to 2018. He attended Oakwood United Methodist Church and was a very faithful man. He loved gardening, woodworking, traveling, visiting friends, and was an avid Hawkeye fan. Harry is survived by his son, Brad (Angie) of Lynnville, IA and son, Bret (Jennifer) of Pleasant Hill, IA; grandchildren, Blake, Andrew (Anna), Caitlin and Ellie; sister, Mary Jane Ballenger; and host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death his parents, Harry and Gail; wife, Mary; son, Ben; sister, Darlene Dahlin; and brother, Stewart. Services will be held at Oakwood United Methodist Church, 400 NE 56th Street, Pleasant Hill. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. There will be a luncheon at Elks Lodge #98, 5420 NE 12th Avenue, Pleasant Hill, 50327 after the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Elks Lodge #98 in loving memory of Harry. Full obituary may be viewed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Posted online on August 09, 2022
Published in Des Moines Register