Jim Harken
August 18, 1973 ~ June 3, 2021
Jim Harken, 47, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 3, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. He fought a courageous battle against colon cancer. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a Rosary Service at 4 p.m. followed by a Vigil Service and Sharing of Memories at 4:30. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Reverend Doug Loecke. Burial: West Friesland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Ackley, Iowa.
Jim was the son of the Rev. Richard and Janelle (Nesius) Harken. He was born in Burlington, Iowa, and the family spent his first year of life in Alexis, Illinois. On Jim's first birthday the family moved to Jesup, Iowa, where Jim attended Jesup Elementary school. In 1985 the family moved to Boone, Iowa, where Jim attended Boone High School. He was very active in band, choir and theater. After graduation, Jim Attended the University of Northern Iowa where he earned a Bachelor's in Communications. He sang in the Concert Chorale, marched in the marching band and served as 'The Voice' of the band for many years. Later in life Jim attended Western International University in Phoenix, Arizona where he earned a Master's in Public Administration.
Most recently Jim worked as a Regional Director for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach serving Benton, Cedar, Jones and Linn Counties in Eastern Iowa. One of his most favorite parts of the job was being the co-host and MC of the Extension Annual Conference. Before Iowa State, Jim worked for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank and the Iowa Department on Aging. Jim also spent time in Arizona where he worked for the Arizona Game and Fish Department as a Public Information Officer and hosted their statewide TV show Arizona Wildlife Views. Jim worked as a Main Street Director in both Buckeye, Arizona and Marshalltown, Iowa. Before that he worked at numerous radio and TV stations across the state of Iowa. Jim was also the voice of the Iowa Municipal Band Festival for more than 30 years.
Jim is survived by his lovely wife Mary; their three sons Lucas, Michael and Dominick all of Cedar Rapids; mother, Janelle Harken of West Des Moines, Iowa; brother, Andrew and Leigh Anna Harken of Ossining, New York; parents-in-law, David and Pat Aust in Des Moines; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Eva D'Aust Garcia of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, Jim and AnnMarie Byers of Ankeny, Iowa, Matt and Mindy Aust of West Des Moines, and Mark and Yevette Aust of Omaha, Nebraska; aunts and uncles, Linda Brooks of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Dennis and Delores Harken of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Charles Landstrom of Burlington, Iowa, Don and Mary Lou Minks of Saydel, Iowa, and Kathy Peters of Forest Lake, Minnesota; and many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
Jim is preceded in death by his dad, Richard Harken; grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A lifelong Cubs fan, Jim was thrilled that he got to see the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016. 'It happened in my lifetime!'
Go Cubbies!!
The Jim Harken Memorial Fund has been established at Hills Bank to help with the boys' scholarship at St. Matthew Elementary School. Contributions may be made at any Hills Bank location or checks can be mailed to: Hills Bank Attn: Jim Harken Memorial Fund at 3905 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.
The family wishes to extend a special recognition and Thank You to the Mercy Hall Perrine doctors, nurses, and staff for their love and care during the past four years.
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He was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known! Such a great friend, husband to Mary, parent to the boys and all around good guy! He fought his illness with great courage for his family and was a true inspiration to all! We are so sad but will hold him & our memories dear to our hearts! It was an honor to know and call “Jimbo” our friend! Love & prayers to Mary, boys and family.
Sorry to hear this. We spent many Saturdays in Boone while he mc’d. He will be greatly missed. Hugs and prayers to his family. Thanks for sharing him with us!
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I will have you, your boys and your family in my prayers. May God comfort you and give you strength and peace.
What a talented and gifted man the world has lost. But the great joy is he has no more suffering and entered eternal life. Until we meet again, ❤.
He will be greatly missed by all who met him. Great man and there aren’t many like him.
Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
We’re so sorry for the loss of your Jim. You’re in our thoughts and prayers. All our love
We would like to extend our sincerest condolences and prayers on Jim’s demise. He is now in a better place, May God bless his soul.
We want to extend our sympathy, love and prayers to all of you. Jim was an inspiration to so many and will be remembered for his kind heart, gentle spirit, and wonderful sense of humor. May God bless and comfort you as you remember all the joy that Jim brought to your lives. Our love, Noel and Dottie Rewerts
I met Jim at UNI in the marching band. I have always remembered his warm smile, infectious laugh and his friendliness to all. May God comfort you and bless you as you remember his warmth and kindness.
Sending all my love to you and the boys. May God give you strength and peace. Jim will be forever missed.
I knew Jim through the UNI marching band and Kappa Kappa Psi. I’ll always remember his kind, welcoming personality. To Jim’s family, you are all in my thoughts now and in the days ahead.
Mary, my sincere condolences to you and your boys. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dominick, Mary and Family, Aaron and our family are keeping you all in our prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help in this difficult time.
Jim served ISU Extension & Outreach and also P&S Council at ISU admirably – always with energy and positivity. He will be missed by all. Mary and boys, Jan, and Andrew, we send our condolences and are keeping you in our prayers.
With deepest sympathy,
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies… Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
With deepest sympathy,
No words can express the loss we feel with Jim’s passing. Love to all from The Dodd’s in Boone. Don,Karen,Pam,Deb,Laura,Donna, Don,Bill,Bob
With deepest sympathy,
I don’t know where to start…my cousin Jim, the most loving and positive human being that I have ever known. From my memory, always smiling, and always positive…even when faced with his illness. Jim, we love you, I am blessed to be your cousin. Uncle Dick holds you in his arms, as you meet our Lord, Jesus Christ. God bless you Mary, and love to your beautiful boys! Love, Sara Harken McHoul and family
When I saw in the paper that a Jim Harken had passed that caught my attention and I was thinking of Dick as I knew him who was in my brother’s class at Bhs. And then I got to thinking, Mrs. Harken as I knew her was my kindergarten teacher so obviously that had to have been Jim’s grandmother. My condolences to your family. Pat Treharne Stieglitz pstiegl102@gmail.com
So very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I had the priviledge of playing in 3 ensembles for which Jim emceed performances: the Boone Municipal Band, the UNI Marching Band, and the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble. His personality, passion, and friendly demeanor added so much to our performances. Sending thoughts and prayers to Jim’s family – Justin Wells
Jim had such an enthusiastic and warm personality. He influences me still today. He was such a pleasure to work with as the announcer for our concerts and had such talent! We lost a great man! My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Rich Thimmesch Central Iowa Wind Ensemble
With deepest sympathy, we are continuing to lift the entire family in prayer.
With much love and many years of beautiful memories we will cherish. Laura and Don, Alissa and family, Kendra and family and forever Jenna Lee.
We will greatly miss Jim cheering on the boys at baseball games, but know he will always be an “Angel in the Outfield”. Our deepest sympathy,
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve his passing. May God comfort you and bless you with happy memories of him. He was much admired at the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The world has lost a beautiful soul. -Elizabeth Burgard, AGFD Procurement
Mary, you and the boys are in my heartfelt prayers. I’m so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort and peace through family and friends.
Mary, I’m so sorry for your loss. May the Lord embrace you all in His loving arms and prayers and thoughts for you all bring you comfort.
My thoughts are with you and the boys.
With our deepest sympathies. Bob and Pam Grundstad, Emily and Jared Hall and family, Angela Grundstad, Cindy and Steve Lawler and family.
Words can not describe how I feel about Jim’s passing on to a greater glory. May we learn from his lessons on kindness and humility to make life better for those around us. I only wish I had spent more time with Jim while he walked among us. May Mary and his family find peace knowing that Jim will continue watching over them. May you find peace in having known such a great man.
Mary, I can begin to tell you what a special guy and fabulous person Jim Harken was. His smile and personality were positively infectious. Family was his life. His love for you and your boys was deep, compassionate and oh so true. I feel blessed to have known Jim and to have worked with him during his tenure as Executive Director of the Marshalltown Central Business District. While you time together on earth was shorter than you would like, he is certainly watching over you and wants your happiness more than anything. I am so sorry, Mary, for your loss. Hold on to the many, many loving memories you have, they, and time, will help you help. May the lord help carry you in times of need. Sending blessings and hugs, you are in my prayers, Kileen Rezac
Mary, I can begin to tell you what a special guy and fabulous person Jim Harken was. His smile and personality were positively infectious. Family was his life. His love for you and your boys was deep, compassionate and oh so true. I feel blessed to have known Jim and to have worked with him during his tenure as Executive Director of the Marshalltown Central Business District. While you time together on earth was shorter than you would like, he is certainly watching over you and wants your happiness more than anything. I am so sorry, Mary, for your loss. Hold on to the many, many loving memories you have, they, and time, will help you help. May the lord help carry you in times of need. Sending blessings and hugs, you are in my prayers, Kileen Rezac
Mary, so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing…I was truly blessed to have shared the praise band experience at Collegiate Presbyterian with him…he was always so positive and upbeat and one hell’uva vocalist! I will continue to pray for you and the boys knowing that Jim’s absence is temporary and that you’ll all be together again! Best wishes from the Withers in Ames…..
I was so sad to hear of Jim’s passing. What a beautiful, positive spirit! I remember when he was in choir at First Presbyterian Church. What a great bass! After he left and we had a song with a low Db, we’d say, “We need to ‘rent a Jim’”. Blessings to you and the boys as you continue on life’s journey. Gone but not forgotten.
Jim will always live in our hearts. What a force he was!(and will continue to be). We prayed for him so consistently and so long that it is in our bones. Those prayers will now shift to him and for you and your family. God Bless your gorgeous family with a strong awareness of His presence as you grieve his loss.
He was always an inspiration and devoted husband and father. I am blessed to have known Jim! We will all be reunited one day with our Heavenly Father. Prayers are with you Mary and family.