In Memory of Robert "Bob" Harden

Robert “Bob” Harden, age 89 of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Faith Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Pastor Jeff Hansen will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa, with Military Rites provided by the Roose Post No. 313 of the American Legion of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Robert “Bob” Harden was born on a farm south of Leon, Iowa, on December 11, 1932, to Eldon and Marie (Horney) Harden. His family later moved to a farm near Lamoni, Iowa, where he attended school. His family then moved to Blockton, Iowa and later to a farm near Leon. He graduated from Leon High School with the class of 1951. 

Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954 having earned the rank of Staff Sergeant after spending 15 months in Korea. After the service he worked on a farm near Webster City, Iowa and began his elevator work at Stonega Co-op Elevator in 1955. He married Elaine Gordon at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City on May 19, 1957. The couple moved to Holstein, Iowa and later to Boone, Iowa where Bob was employed with the elevator.

In December 1959 Bob moved to Odebolt, Iowa, to manage the Odebolt Co-op Elevator. In 1970 he moved to a farm north of Odebolt where he farmed, raised hogs and fed cattle. Bob continued to grain farm until his retirement in 2020. Bob also had his own lawn spraying business which he started in 1988 that kept him busy into semi-retirement. 

Bob was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City and was an active member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Odebolt for over 60 years, serving on various committees including church president and council numerous times. He also served on the council of the Western Iowa Synod (ELCA) and represented his church several years as Synod delegate. 

Bob served on the board of directors of the Odebolt Co-op Elevator for 12 years, was a member of the Sac County Pork Producers, Odebolt Chamber of Commerce, Odebolt Fair Board, Sac County Extension Council, Odebolt Community Center, and volunteer ambulance driver. He and Elaine instructed country dance lessons in the Schleswig-Denison area in the 90’s. Bob was active in the Odebolt American Legion where he served two times as commander and later as adjutant and treasurer. He was a part of the honor guard at military funerals for many years. 

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 65 years, Elaine Harden of Odebolt, IA; children David (Becky) Harden of Wall Lake, IA and Jean Ann (Rich) Savage of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren: Amanda Harden, Rob Harden, Becca (Jeff) Beck, and Brooke (James) Clothier; brother Richard (Janice) Harden of Lineville, IA; sister Ruth (Dan) Warren of Leon, IA; brother-in-law John (JoAnn) Meyer of Joliet, IL; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eldon and Marie Harden; brothers Donald (Jaunita), Ivan (Edith), and Gerald (Frances) Harden; and sister Lois Meyer.