Harold Burkhart

Harold Everett Burkhart was born November 14, 1918, to Paul and Minnie (Coleman) Burkhart in Harrison County south of Magnolia, Iowa. He attended Calhoun School and acquired an eighth grade education. Harold held various farm jobs before entering the army in 1941 serving his country while stationed in England. After his honorable discharge in October of 1945, Harold purchased a Harley Davidson and explored the western United States before returning to the Burkhart homestead to farm. Harold was notable for his use of a team of horses and a wagon to harvest corn by hand. He competed and was known to win corn picking challenges in both Iowa and Nebraska. On October 31, 1950, Harold married Jean Elizabeth Bamford. They lived on a farm north of Magnolia. Harold continued to pick corn by hand into the 1970s and farmed until 2006. Harold was a member f the Magolia American Legion O'Hara Seeley Post 612. He enjoyed going to Omaha to All Star Wrestling.

Harold died Sunday, December 21, 2014, at the Westmont Care Center in Logan, Iowa at the age of 96 years, one month and seven days.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean Burkhart in 2012; daughter, Harriett Evans; three brothers, Rex, Carl and Joseph Burkhart and sister, Inie McClannahan. He is survived by his five children, Patti Colveri of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Everett (Nancy) Burkhart of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Mary (Francis) Phillips of Arlington, Nebraska, Glen (LuAnn) Burkhart of Logan, Iowa, Jeffrey Burkhart of Missouri Valley, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sister, Marge Layton of Missouri Valley, Iowa; three brothers, William (Betty) Burkhart of Humboldt, Iowa, Alfred Burkhart of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Henry (Shirley) Burkhart of Rapid City, South Dakota; and many other relatives and friends.