"Kelly, We had so many great times with Harlow and Jolene during our years in Branson. We are so glad we were able to see him again and had a great time at dinner with him. Our deepest condolences. Walt and Joan Zimmermann"
In loving memory of
Harlow Sievers
February 13, 1936 - October 20, 2020
Harlow Sievers, 84, of Branson, formerly of Humboldt, IA, died October 20, 2020 at Cox Hospital in Branson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, October 26, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt, IA. Burial will be at 2:00 PM at Morgan Township Cemetery near Schleswig, IA with Rev. Merrill officiating. Military Rites will be presented by US Army Honor Guard. Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home in Fort Dodge, IA.
Harlow is survived by his daughter Kelly Sievers of Prairie Village, KS, by two granddaughters, Chandler (CJ) Pruneau and Paxton Pruneau, a brother Harold Sievers of The Villages, FL & a half-sister, Loween Getter of Webster City. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Roger Schultz (Maria) of Sioux City, as well as many nieces and nephews. Harlow was preceded in death just 10 months ago by the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Jolene.
Harlow Sievers was born on February 13, 1936 in Denison, IA, in the home of his grandparents, Emil & Rose Jaacks, who raised him as a youth. He graduated from 8th grade at Zion Lutheran School, Denison, and from Denison High School in 1954. In 1955, he entered the US Army, serving in Korea & the Far East. After his honorable discharge in 1957, he enrolled at Morningside College in Sioux City, IA.
On November 23, 1958, he was united in marriage to the former Jolene Schultz at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, IA. After their marriage they made their home in Sioux City, IA, later moving to St. Paul, MN. Harlow attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1960. After his graduation, they moved to Denison, IA, where he served his apprenticeship under Walter Huebner at the Huebner Funeral Home.
In 1962, they moved to Fort Dodge, IA where Harlow was employed by the Laufersweiler Funeral Home. In 1964 he moved to Humboldt where he established the Sievers Funeral Home. He returned to Fort Dodge as Manager of Laufersweiler Funeral Home from 1971 to 1974.
In 1974, he moved to Humboldt as Vice President of Crest-Pak, Inc. (now Liguria Foods). In 1975 he was named President & Chairman of the Board--a position he held until 1985 when the company was sold to John Morrell. It was during his tenure as president that he was awarded the Iowa Regional Business Man of the Year by the US Small Business Administration.
In 1987 he entered into a partnership with Joe Laufersweiler and they operated several funeral homes in Northwest Iowa. In 1998 he and Jolene retired and moved to Branson, MO, where he continued to remain active in the business as a board member and consultant.
Harlow was a former member of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and was awarded his 50-year pin in 2011. Harlow was a former member & officer of the Humboldt Fire Department, past member of the Humboldt City Council & past president of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce. While a member of Zion Lutheran Church, he served as Chairman of the building committee when the church and educational unit was constructed.
Harlow was also a former member of the Board of Directors of Bank Iowa, and a member of the Board of Directors of Hy-Capacity Engineering & Manufacturing.
Harlow would like to let you all know his work here is done, and he's answered a call we all knew he'd receive. He was one to face obstacles with ease and take chances in life...one of the most dangerous of all, allowing his granddaughter to drive his golf cart at a mere 5- years old!
He was a man of unwavering faith and commitment to family, and while his adventures and achievements in life could fill an epic novel, he will be remembered most by his storytelling ability and his ability to connect with anyone he met.
They say "It's not the years in your life, but the life in your years," but for Harlow it was both. He enjoyed a long life that was both adventurous and emotionally fulfilling & his stories will live with us forever.
Memorials may be left to family discretion.
Tributes
"Kelly, I was so sad to hear about your dad (and mom). It made me think of all of the times we spent together so long ago. Your mom and dad were great, and thought the world of you! My thoughts are with you. Vicki Mathey Tegethoff"
"You probably don't know me but my husband, Pat Hobart, thought the world and all of your parents. Please accept my sympathy on the death of your father and you and all his family will be remembered in my thoughts and prayers. Maureen"
"Dear Kelly, Chandler and Paxton. Our heartfelt sympathy to all of you at this difficult time. Harlow touched many hearts and lives and although it is hard to imagine the world without him, it is easy to imagine heaven rejoicing because he is there. Praying for you and asking God to hold you close. Karen and Marvin Andersen"
"He was the funeral director when my husband passed away here in Humboldt Iowa in 1997 he did such an awesome job and so caring. RIP you will be missed. Joyce Smith Carlson"