Harlan Bernard Kirkeby

Harlan B. Kirkeby, 78, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, April 12, 2010, at his home in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 16th, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be held in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call on Friday from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church in Waukon. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon is handling arrangements.


Harlan Bernard Kirkeby was born January 15, 1932 in rural Waukon, IA, the son of Henry M. and Ella (Vangen) Kirkeby. He was baptized at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church rural Decorah and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. Harlan attended school in the Waukon area and received his GED later. He served in the US Army from 1952 until 1953 during the Korean War. On April 30, 1966 he married Louise Charlotte Gilbertson at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. After the service he hauled canned milk for Roger Snitker. He was also self employed as a Television repairman. Harlan has worked for the past several years for Northeast Iowa Community Action as a custodian in Decorah until 2009. He lived in rural Decorah following his marriage and in Decorah from 1987 until the fall of 2000 when he moved to Waukon. Harlan was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed flying, playing steel guitar, drawing, taking home study courses and working on his cars and was a very good mechanic.

Survivors include a son, Eric Kirkeby of Waukon, IA; a brother, Wayne Kirkeby of Ridgeway, IA and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Louise who died in 2001; a sister, Deloris Kirkeby; a brother, Everett Kirkeby and 2 sisters-in-law, Linda Kirkeby and Kate Kirkeby.