Private First Class Harlan James Happel was born on February 16, 1935 in Readlyn, IA and died August 10, 2016 in Rochester, MN.
Harlan James Happel entered the United States Army on August 26, 1954, in Des Moines, IA, served during the Korean War era and reached the rank of Private First Class before being discharged on May 25, 1956 in Fort Sheridan, IL.
Harlan James Happel is buried at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Readlyn, Iowa and can be located at
Harlan James Happel, 81, of Readlyn, Iowa, died on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
Harlan was born on February 16, 1935, on the family farm near Readlyn. He was the son of William “Bill” Henry and Esther C. (Matthias) Happel. He was baptized on March 10, 1935, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Klinger and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran in Readlyn. Harlan attended parochial school through 8th grade and graduated from Readlyn High School in 1953. He served in the United States Army from August of 1954 to May of 1956. On August 7, 1960, Harlan was united in marriage to Luann Ruth Diercks at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Klinger.
Harlan had a lifelong passion for farming. For 19 years, he delivered motorhomes for Winnebago. Harlan was a member of the Wayne Teisinger. V.F.W. Post 5661 of Readlyn and the Acker-Matthias American Legion Post 653 of Denver and served on many boards in the community. He enjoyed old cars, honoring our nation’s veterans, traveling, and visiting with family and friends.
Harlan is survived by his wife, Luann Happel; a son, Mark (Ruth) Happel of Readlyn; two daughters, Laura (Brent Buls) Bockholt and Lisa (Barry) Wittenburg; both of Readlyn; a son, Kevin (Kami) Happel of Atkins, Iowa; and a son, Alan Happel of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Brady, Bobbi, and Brianne Bockholt; Alana, Alissa, Aarika and Austin Wittenburg; Matt (Kelli) Brunscheon, Keith (Tanya) Brunscheon, Isaac (Ashley) Happel; and Paige Happel; great grandchildren, Eli Alibegic, Tessa, Dusty, Reed, Lexi and Jackson Brunscheon; a sister, Audrey (Norbert) Schmidt of Readlyn; a brother, Gordon (Ruth) Happel of Lenexa, Kansas and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, twin granddaughters, Abbey and Alley Wittenburg and a grandson, Dusty Brunscheon.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn with Pastor Matthew Moss officiating. Burial will be held in St. Paul Cemetery, Readlyn and Military Rites at the grave will be conducted by Wayne Teisinger. V.F.W. Post 5661 of Readlyn and the Acker-Matthias American Legion Post of Denver. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Readlyn and also for one hour prior to service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Community Lutheran School and Mission Central. Online condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com
Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Readlyn is assisting the family. 319-279-3551
“Harlan Happel Obituary,” Kaiser Corson Funeral Homes, Inc., accessed October 23 , 2016. http://www.kaisercorson.com/obituary/Harlan-James-Happel/Readlyn-IA/1645373.
Release Date: August 10, 2079.