Lynn Gearhart
September 23, 1921 — August 20, 2008
Lynn Alan Gearhart, son of Ellis and Blanche (Kemp) Gearhart, was born on September 23, 1921 near Harlan, Iowa and was one of eight children. He attended Center Township Country School through the eighth grade and was proud to have finished with the highest honors.
After school, Lynn began farming with his dad raising hogs and cattle and also picked and sold apples from his orchard. Lynn was always a good steward of his land and had a passion for wildlife and the welfare of Native American Indians. Lynn also attained his student permit soloing and doing some flying for a time. An avid music lover, he played the guitar and squeezebox and had many, many scrapbooks and journals full of Shelby County history and farm memories. He loved to play cards, read, had a wealth of knowledge of songbirds, horses, and attended many rodeos.
Lynn married Elaine Briggs in 1967 and they had three daughters together. He was lovingly called "Grandpa Farmer" by his grandkids and always enjoyed seeing them. He was also proud to live on a Century Farm.
Lynn died on August 20, 2008, at his home having attained the age of eighty-six years, ten months and twenty-eight days. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Hoyt and his sister Leota Hansen.
He is survived by his daughters: Annette and her husband Randy Madsen of Kimballton, Iowa; Jennifer and her husband Jeff Nielsen; and Allison Gearhart all of Harlan, Iowa; his stepson Jim Briggs of Carroll, Iowa; four grandchildren: Jamie Madsen, Shaina Madsen, Jason Nielsen, and Jacob Nielsen; two step grandchildren: Jeremy Briggs and his wife Jamie and Lisa Briggs; six step great-grandchildren; his siblings: Hale Gearhart and his wife Shirley of Great Falls, Montana; Charles Gearhart and his wife Esther of Harlan; Shirley McDermott of Atlantic, Iowa; Stuart Gearhart of Reno, Nevada; and Myrna Poldberg of Harlan; nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 with Pastor Al Halzelton performing the 1:30 PM ceremony at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were Jeremy Briggs, Bruce Poldberg, Mike Gearhart, Chuck Myers, Jason Nielsen, and Jamie Madsen. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa
PDF Printable Version
After school, Lynn began farming with his dad raising hogs and cattle and also picked and sold apples from his orchard. Lynn was always a good steward of his land and had a passion for wildlife and the welfare of Native American Indians. Lynn also attained his student permit soloing and doing some flying for a time. An avid music lover, he played the guitar and squeezebox and had many, many scrapbooks and journals full of Shelby County history and farm memories. He loved to play cards, read, had a wealth of knowledge of songbirds, horses, and attended many rodeos.
Lynn married Elaine Briggs in 1967 and they had three daughters together. He was lovingly called "Grandpa Farmer" by his grandkids and always enjoyed seeing them. He was also proud to live on a Century Farm.
Lynn died on August 20, 2008, at his home having attained the age of eighty-six years, ten months and twenty-eight days. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Hoyt and his sister Leota Hansen.
He is survived by his daughters: Annette and her husband Randy Madsen of Kimballton, Iowa; Jennifer and her husband Jeff Nielsen; and Allison Gearhart all of Harlan, Iowa; his stepson Jim Briggs of Carroll, Iowa; four grandchildren: Jamie Madsen, Shaina Madsen, Jason Nielsen, and Jacob Nielsen; two step grandchildren: Jeremy Briggs and his wife Jamie and Lisa Briggs; six step great-grandchildren; his siblings: Hale Gearhart and his wife Shirley of Great Falls, Montana; Charles Gearhart and his wife Esther of Harlan; Shirley McDermott of Atlantic, Iowa; Stuart Gearhart of Reno, Nevada; and Myrna Poldberg of Harlan; nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 with Pastor Al Halzelton performing the 1:30 PM ceremony at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were Jeremy Briggs, Bruce Poldberg, Mike Gearhart, Chuck Myers, Jason Nielsen, and Jamie Madsen. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa
PDF Printable Version
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lynn Gearhart, please visit our flower store.