Harlow Eugean Koth

Harlow Eugean Koth

July 18, 1923 – August 14, 2025

Dad was born July 18, 1923 in Parkston, SD to descendants of German immigrants.  He was the third of six sons.  He graduated from Parkston High School in 1941 and moved to Milwaukee, WI to live with his brother, Bill.  After moving to California, he entered the Army Air Corps in 1943.  Following basic training, he was stationed at a make-shift airfield in northern Italy.  After being there for two years, he heard about the end of WWII while attending a USO show for soldiers.

After his discharge from the military in 1945, he returned home to George, IA, where his parents lived.  There he got his first look at the love of his life, Ann Hintgen.  They were married six weeks later.  Many years of many moves, different jobs, and the birth of five children later, they found themselves in Waterloo, IA, where he worked for the post office as a mail carrier until 1983.  Ann managed a Coast-to-Coast hardware store and Harlow helped when he was finished with his daily mail route.

Upon retirement in 1983, they packed up their belongings and moved to Eugene, OR.  In 1993, when Ann’s health began to be an issue, they moved one more time.  This time to Urbandale, IA to be closer to family.  Harlow continued to live in their home following Ann’s death in 2004 until moving to Rock Creek Senior Living in Ankeny in 2024.

In 2018, Harlow was invited to be interviewed for a national project concerning the experiences of WWII veterans.  That interview now resides in the Library of Congress.

Besides his family, Harlow loved barbershop music.  He was a member of the Waterloo chorus, as well as a member of a quartet, a music coach, and a contest judge.  He loved singing and playing the piano.  Harlow was also an accomplished woodworker.  Besides remodeling several of his homes, he made many pieces of furniture and gifts for Ann and their five children.

Harlow is survived by his children, Roger Koth of Cedar Falls, IA, Pamela Stedman of Dubuque, IA, Marcia (Ed) Leedom of Des Moines, IA, Corliss Fur Furo of Johnston, IA, and Sheryl Hoover of Cedar Rapids, IA; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Harlow was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ann, of 59 years; five brothers; a grandchild, Christine Young; and a great-grandchild, Jacob Leedom.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at New Hope Assembly of God, 4425 70^th Street, Urbandale, IA, from 10 AM until time of service at 11 AM.  Interment will be in George, IA at a later date.