George H. Harbaugh

GUTTENBERG, IOWA

George Henry Harbaugh, age 74, of Guttenberg, IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Guttenberg Care Center.

Visitation will be held from 3 - 7 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2023 at Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg. Visitation will continue at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 9 - 10 a.m. prior to funeral services.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Guttenberg with burial in Guttenberg City Cemetery. Pastor Michael Ashman will officiate.

He was born in Guttenberg, IA, on October 16, 1948, the son of George Joseph and Lois (Buechel) Harbaugh, the eldest of 4 children. George attended school at Guttenberg. On April 16, 1966, he married Mary Lou E. Hinzman at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garnavillo. George graduated from Guttenberg in May of that year, and they began their journey together.

George and Mary Lou began farming on the home farm along the Little Turkey, near Graham, then moved to Osterdock to raise their children, teaching them to ride horses, milk cows, drive tractors, sort pigs, and throw bales. George was dedicated to the family farm and raising his children there. In the next chapter of their life, George and Mary Lou owned and operated Osterdock Junction and Mary Lou’s Cafe. They also teamed up to drive semi for a period of time. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s Disease forced George to retire earlier than expected, perhaps the Lord’s way of slowing him down.

After settling into retirement, George was able to spend time watching his grandchildren compete in sporting events, something he thoroughly enjoyed. He also loved tuning into March Madness to cheer on the Iowa men’s and women’s basketball teams. George enjoyed playing cards, talking about tractors, and catching up with old and new friends. He always had a story to tell. More than anything, he loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was filled with pride for them, always sharing stories about them with others, and looking forward to their next visit.

"Papa" will be greatly missed by his 5 children: JoLynn (Aaron) Moore, Tim (Peg) Harbaugh, Chad (Kari) Harbaugh, Missy (Jerel) Holohan & Darren (Angie) Harbaugh; 19 grandchildren: Jace, Abrianna, and JayLyn Moore, Madeline, Eli, Kate, and William Harbaugh, Kohle Helle, Calista, Braydn and Oakley Harbaugh, Marshall Birch, Shayla, Blair, Emmet, and Declan Holohan, Ella, Sophie, and Hudson Harbaugh; siblings: Linda (Dwight) Hansel, Denise (Dave) Hoeg, half-brother Adam Harbaugh, and brother-in-law, Harv Bolsinger, along with many other family and friends.

George was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, his son, Randy; sister, Debra (Harbaugh) Bolsinger, and his parents, George Joseph and Lois (Buechel) Harbaugh.The family would like to thank St Croix Hospice and the many nurses, CNAs, and volunteers at The Guttenberg Care Center for the care they provided during his journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St John’s Lutheran Church in Guttenberg or Parkinson’s Awareness of Clayton County (PACC) in his honor.

Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg is assisting the family and information is available at www.morrisfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be sent to Morris Funeral Home (in care of the deceased) 207 South 1st St, Guttenberg, IA 52052.