Ronald LeRoy Harshbarger, age 81, of Primghar and formerly of Lanesboro, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Aspire Care Center in Primghar.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery in Glidden.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.
Ronald LeRoy Harshbarger the son of Roy William and Fern ( Malen) Harshbarger was born on August 18, 1941 in Lanesboro, Iowa. He attended grade school in Lanesboro, where he was on his parent’s farm helping farm the land and collecting eggs daily from the chickens and the other chores in farm life. He graduated from Lake City High School and later Buena Vista College in Storm Lake receiving a Bachelor in Physical Education. His masters degree was from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in Chemistry and Mathematics. On June 9, 1963, he was united in marriage to Kay Lockey at the First Christian Church in Spencer, Iowa. Three children Gary, Lonnie and Kathleen were born to this marriage. Ron taught school and served as a Principal in the communities of Emmetsburg, Boone and Cylinder. He also coached basketball and track. He later worked as a salesman for Supersweet Feeds, Watkins products, and KT Industries. On March 10, 1989 he was united in marriage to Teri Conlon at the United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Iowa and he added children Minde, Jason and Jessica. The couple made their home in Paullina and Ron later worked at Pride Group and Aspire Care Center as grounds keeper all in Primghar. Because of ill health Ron became a resident of Aspire Care Center in Primghar where he passed away on Thursday April 6, 2023.
Ron was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paullina. Family was important to Ron and will be remembered as a loving caring husband, father, and grandfather. Ron raised six children and all graduated from high school and college. He worked hard at his jobs he had and would always see him on the street with a smile and a hello. He would play games with his grandchildren and buying them gifts, taking them on trips and eating out. He truly had a “Heart of Gold”.
He is survived by his wife Teri of Paullina, Iowa; his children Gary (Daina) Harshbarger of Woodville, Texas; Lonnie (Stephanie) Harshbarger of Sioux Center, Iowa; Kathleen (Mark) Petersen of Omaha, Nebraska; Minde (Chad) Coleman of Hartley, Iowa; Jason (Lindsay) Coleman of Omaha, Nebraska; Jessica (David) Kunkel of Remsen, Iowa; Grandchildren Tanna Bonanno, Tatum Patterson, Toni Hall, Tiffany Harshbarger, Ethan Petersen, Emily Gadsden, Olivia Moret, Wilson Harshbarger, Charlee King, Quinny King, Logan Coleman, Graysen Coleman, Cooper Coleman and Joshua Coleman also 14 great grandchildren and one sister Judy Wooters of Apple Valley, Minnesota also other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents two sisters Marjorie Kolbe, Jean Hucka and a brother Dwight Harshbarger.
Ron will truly be missed by all and to walk in his shoes would be a challenge for anyone. Teri will always love him and remember that he was the guy who gave her the best life anyone could ever ask for. God bless him and ocean of love be with you. We will always love you Ron.