- Date Of Birth: May 16, 1942
- Date Of Death: February 12, 2015
- State: Iowa
Gary Thomas Harken, age 72, of Algona, passed away Thursday February 12, 2015 at his home.Gary Thomas Harken, the son of Thomas Gary and Clara (Meinders) Harken, was born on May 16, 1942 in Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from Franklin Community High School in Latimer in 1960. He then enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1964 and served four years in the Vietnam War until his discharge in 1968. Gary was united in marriage with Hildred Irene Lundgren on June 8, 1968 in Britt. On November 1, 1986 Gary was united in marriage to JoAnn Welp Anliker in West Bend. He worked for Kemco Tires for 26 years and retired in 2005. He then worked for Rick Klein for 9 years in Rick’s Body Shop. Gary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Algona. He loved racing and was an official and worked the concession stands for Algona, Fairmont and Mason City race tracks. Gary was honored by being inducted into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame in 2015. Gary enjoyed camping, especially at Smith Lake and helping the Mergen family farm. He always had a smile on his face and loved his family. Left to cherish Gary’s memory is his wife of twenty eight years, JoAnn of Algona; son, Monte (Rachel) Harken of Alexander; two daughters, Monica (Dave) Stauffer of Belle Plaine and Mynet (Bruce) Anderson of Trimont, MN; two step-sons, Jay (Deb) Anliker of Wausau, WI and Jeff (Dawn) Anliker of Manson; three step-daughters, Debbie (Joe) Mirabelli of Berwyn, IL, Diane (Dave) Koppen of Whittemore and Patti (Dave) Christensen of Bicknell, IN; twenty three grandchildren; five great grandchildren and his sister, Evelyn Harken of Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Hildred in 1983.
