Harlan E. Middlekauff
Harlan E. Middlekauff
November 30, 1923 – December 18, 2016
What Cheer, Iowa | Age 93
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Harlan E. Middlekauff, 93, of What Cheer, died Sunday, December 18, 2016, at Northern Mahaska Specialty Care in Oskaloosa. He was born November 30, 1923 near Deep River, IA, the son of Charles W. and Anna (Moore) Middlekauff.
Harlan was raised in the Millersburg and Keswick areas and graduated from Keswick High School in 1943.
Harlan was a Purple Heart Veteran and served in WWII, 1944-46, as a Staff Sgt., 30th Infantry Div. in the Eastern European front.
Following the war, he returned to the Keswick area to farm. On September 11, 1949 he was united in marriage to Virginia Vannest at the Ivan Vannest farm near Rose Hill, Iowa.
After marriage they farmed in the Keswick area until 1955, when he and Virginia bought their own farm west of What Cheer. In addition to farming, he also worked for the Gibson Elevator for a period of time and then started the business of Middlekauff Construction remodeling and building homes until 1988. He was well respected for his fine carpenter skills.
Virginia passed away in 1985 and in 1988 he married Vera Hicklin. They later divorced, but remained steadfast companions throughout the remainder of their lives.
Harlan continued to actively maintain his farm until September 2010 when he entered the care center due to his health.
He was a member of the Keswick United Methodist Church, school board member for Fisher Independent School, and served on Mahaska county conservation committees.
Harlan’s memory is honored by his son, Larry (& Kathy Linster) Middlekauff of Higbee, Missouri; his daughter, Lois Lynnette (& Michael) Keppl of Greene, Iowa; two grandsons: Brian (& Stacie) Middlekauff of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jason (& Jennifer) Middlekauff and great-grandson Dayton, also of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; in-laws, Lois & Ivan Vannest; twin sisters, Zelda Collins and Velda Holthus; half-sister, Myrle Draegert; brothers: Charles (Elmer), John (Leonard), and Gerald; and half-brothers, Willie and Walter (Pete).
Per Harlan’s wish, his body has been cremated.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11 AM in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Vince Homan officiating.
Family visitation will begin Saturday, January 7, 2017, after 10 AM with the family present at the funeral chapel 10 AM until service time at 11 AM.
Burial of the cremated remains will be at Springfield Cemetery, near What Cheer at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Barnes City Fire Department or What Cheer Fire and Rescue.
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