Joseph “Joe” William Harbaugh 1934 - 2022

HARBAUGH, BROWN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/28/2022 at 23:45:20

Joseph “Joe” W. Harbaugh, age 88, of Anthon, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at his daughter’s residence of Anthon, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life and Visitation will be held at a later date.

The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online: www.armstrongfuneral.com.

Joseph “Joe” William Harbaugh was born on March 18, 1934, in Miles City, MT, to Bill and Margaret Harbaugh. After graduating from Custer County High School in 1952, Joe went to work for Shell Oil Co. on the Seismic Crew in the Glendive, MT area. Later the entire crew moved to the Workland, WY area. In April of 1953 he joined the U.S. Navy and went to boot camp in San Diego, CA. Joe then attended Aviation Prep School in Norman, OK, followed by Aviation Electronics School in Memphis, TN. Upon graduation he was sent to North Island, CA, where he joined the squadron that flew the AJ-2, a plane that was on the drawing board to drop the A-Bomb.

While in the service Joe met the sister of one of his shipmates, Miss Diane Brown. After their courtship, the couple married on December 7, 1956. Upon his honorable discharge they moved back to Miles City, MT and he joined the Brotherhood of Carpenters as an apprentice. In 1963 they moved to Anthon, Iowa, with their two oldest children. They raised their four children all in Anthon. Joe got into the Turn Key Log Home building business and steel roofing business where he worked for many years.

Upon retirement, Joe and Diane drove their RV to Arizona for several years during the winter months. They were instrumental in starting the Anthon Rescue Squad and the Little Sioux Cycle Club. Joe was very active in the American Legion. One of his proudest achievements was helping erect the silhouette of the Iwo Jima flag raising behind the veterans’ wall in Anthon.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Margaret Harbaugh; parents-in-law Eldon and Genevieve Brown; wife Diane (Brown) Harbaugh; and sister MaryLou Paulsen; brothers-in-law Harold Brown and Joe (Rose) Brown; and three nephews.

Left to cherish his memory are his children Greg (Kate) Harbaugh of Dubois, WY, Brad (Lisa) Harbaugh of Columbia Falls, MT, Michelle (Kirk) Fitch of Anthon, IA and Brenda (Randy) Wolfe of Anthon, IA; grandchildren Abby (Tim) Gibbs, Hillary (Brandon) Thompson, Colemun (Tyffani) Harbaugh, Jared “Alex” (Kitt) Haddenham, Ben (Vanessa) Harbaugh, Sara Harbaugh (Timothy Joseph), Casey Harbaugh, Kelsey (Anthony) Lawrence, Morgan (Colin) Brandt, Camryn Fitch, and Beau Wolfe, 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother-in-law Gary (Janice) Brown; sisters-in-law Lois (Wally) Duncan, Dee Brown, and Susan Brown; special friend Connie Ashley of Ames, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Siouxland for the compassion and care they provided for Joe.