In Memory of Gary A. Harter

Gary A. Harter, age 82, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa

A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Gary’s life at 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the Ida Grove Golf & Country Club of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider a donation to the Iowa Donor Network and Team Iowa in honor of Gary.

Gary A. Harter, age 82 of Ida Grove, Iowa finally hit his long sought after hole-in-one on October 25, 2020, and will, without a doubt, forever be playing golf in his eternal life.

Gary was born July 23, 1938, to Guy and Eloise (Erixon) Harter at home in Harrison County, Iowa. Growing up in the Loess Hills with his extended Harter and Erixon families provided many happy memories and life lessons of hard work and simple pleasures. Gary’s early education was in Country School. He graduated from Pisgah High School in 1956 where he excelled in baseball and basketball. He went on to play both sports while attending Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. He furthered his education with graduate courses at Loras College.

Gary was married to Krystal Martin, they were the parents of Kevin Lee, Craig Martin and Jill Anna. On February 10, 1978, Gary married the love of his life, Jayne (Lashier) Kollbaum and added Todd Edward and Heidi Marie to the family. Their union was blessed with the birth of Sara Jayne. Gary’s family was his pride and joy. Never one to miss a game, recital or event for his kids and grandkids, Gary could always be found cheering them on.

Gary’s career path was always centered on helping people, one of his greatest passions. From 1960-1963 he was a high school teacher and coach in Urbana, Iowa. He then taught, coached and became high school principal in Lost Nation, Iowa from 1963-1969. In 1969 he moved to Ida Grove, Iowa and was the high school principal. Gary owned and operated Harter’s Sporting Goods in Ida Grove from 1970-1971. In 1971 Gary became the administrator of Morningside Care Center where he served for 37 years before retiring in 2008. During that time he acted as adjunct instructor in the long term care administration program at Des Moines Area Community College and also mentored numerous administrators in training. From 2008 – 2015 he provided long term care consulting and served as interim administrator in several facilities. He was very proud to be a member of the Lantis Enterprises Board of Directors for many years.

Gary was proud to call Ida Grove home and was very active in the community which he loved so dearly. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church.  He served in numerous capacities in Jaycees, Kiwanis and the Ida Grove Golf and Country Club. He was very proud to establish the Iowa/Iowa State Bash along with his friend Paul Larson of Holstein. The Bash (2007-2014) raised thousands of dollars for the Youth Sports Programs of Ida County. He truly appreciated the life-long friends he made living in Ida Grove.

Always one to defy the odds, Gary was given a second chance at life through kidney donation on January 27, 1995 and we are forever grateful to his sister, Patti, for that gift. After experiencing his donation he was a proud member of Team Iowa in the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games in Minneapolis. He participated in the golf events and the gold-medal winning three-on-three basketball team.

Gary lived life to the fullest with a passion for his family, friends and community. He was a steadfast Iowa Hawkeye and St. Louis Cardinal fan, loved playing golf and cards with his buddies and never met a stranger.

While people love to send flowers or plants during this time, Gary would argue that donating to a worthy cause is much more productive. Gary had a full, wonderful life and was the first to lend a hand to those who were not as fortunate. In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider a donation to the Iowa Donor Network and Team Iowa to honor Gary’s request.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Jayne; his children Kevin Harter (Jangir Sultan) of New York, New York, Craig (Sara) Harter of Park Ridge, Illinois, Jill (Bradd) Schulke of Cedar Crest, New Mexico, Todd (Angela) Kollbaum of Madison, Nebraska, Heidi (Bart) Nieuwenhuis of Sierra Vista, Arizona and Sara Faas (Mike Thorson) of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren Alexander Harter-Sultan, Jake Harter-Sultan, Olivia Harter, William Harter, Arana Schulke, Zachary (Clarissa) Kollbaum, Jordan (Steph Jane) Kollbaum, Emily (Dylan) Woodall, Ryan Kollbaum, Abigail Kollbaum, Tyler (Kenzie) Collins, Tiana (Jon) Skaggs, Bryant (Deva) Nieuwenhuis, Oscar Faas and Greta Thorson; great-grandchildren Calvin Kollbaum, Elliot Kollbaum, Theodore Kollbaum, Mackenzie Nieuwenhuis, Olivia Nieuwenhuis and Steel Collins; his brothers Harlan Harter of Omaha, Nebraska, Wrex (Mary) Harter of Omaha, Nebraska, Mike (Marla) Harter of Fairbank, Iowa and his sister Patti (Mike) Crozier of Plano, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents Guy and Eloise Harter; and brother Leo Harter.