Harlan J. Nieuwsma
August 30, 1933 — September 24, 2024
Harlan J. Nieuwsma passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday September 24th, 2024, at the age of 91. A funeral service will be held for Harlan at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, in Marion, Iowa. Friends may arrive up to an hour early to enjoy a commemoration of his life. Refreshments will be served following the service in the church basement. Committal Services with Military Honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, at Oakwood Cemetery, in Pella, Iowa.
Harlan was born August 30, 1933, in Pella, the firstborn child of John and Henrietta (Van Kooten) Nieuwsma. He served four years in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956, and was stationed throughout Europe during the Korean Conflict. Harlan married Shirley A. Rook on July 27, 1956, in Pella, Iowa. They recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Harlan attended the University of Iowa following his military service, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. Following his graduation, Harlan and Shirley moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Harlan and Shirley were long-time residents of Marion, Iowa, living at their acreage on Indian Creek Road for 57 years. They were both long-time members of First Presbyterian Church.
Harlan’s career spanned 35 years at Rockwell Collins, during which he held numerous engineering positions. Harlan was most proud of his work developing system solutions for commercial aerospace, providing advanced products serving the US military, and being at the innovative forefront of precision GPS farming. His career was greatly admired by his two sons, who followed in his footsteps, working a combined 70 years at Collins.
First and foremost, Harlan was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Following his retirement from Rockwell Collins, he became very active in genealogy, conducting extensive research and publishing two books documenting multiple centuries of family history. He loved the outdoors and was very proud of his lawn and gardens. He and Shirley loved to travel, and often took their children with them to numerous interesting locations. Harlan was quite a conversationalist, and people often described him as having never met a stranger. He was a voracious reader and lifelong learner, in particular historical books about impactful people and world events. Harlan loved woodworking in his spare time and was also very active in scouting with his two sons.
Harlan is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Nieuwsma; three children, Steven (Peggy) Nieuwsma of Marion, Julie (Brian) Waggoner of Clive, Iowa, and David (Mary) Nieuwsma of Marion; eleven grandchildren: Benjamin of Central City, Alison of Marion, Katherine of Marion, Samuel (Sarah) of Des Moines, Joseph of Cedar Rapids, John (Jenna) of Des Moines, Joshua of Des Moines and Ella of Des Moines, Jacob of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jennifer of Glen Burnie, Maryland and Stephanie (Juan) of Lakewood, Colorado; seven great-grandchildren: Mason, Keegan, Maizik, Logan, Konnor, SJ and Lizzie; and three siblings: Connie (Ted) Overbergen of Oskaloosa, Doretha Plate of LaMars, Iowa and Dennis (Diane) Nieuwsma of Elkton, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be given to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
Harlan was born August 30, 1933, in Pella, the firstborn child of John and Henrietta (Van Kooten) Nieuwsma. He served four years in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956, and was stationed throughout Europe during the Korean Conflict. Harlan married Shirley A. Rook on July 27, 1956, in Pella, Iowa. They recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Harlan attended the University of Iowa following his military service, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. Following his graduation, Harlan and Shirley moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Harlan and Shirley were long-time residents of Marion, Iowa, living at their acreage on Indian Creek Road for 57 years. They were both long-time members of First Presbyterian Church.
Harlan’s career spanned 35 years at Rockwell Collins, during which he held numerous engineering positions. Harlan was most proud of his work developing system solutions for commercial aerospace, providing advanced products serving the US military, and being at the innovative forefront of precision GPS farming. His career was greatly admired by his two sons, who followed in his footsteps, working a combined 70 years at Collins.
First and foremost, Harlan was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Following his retirement from Rockwell Collins, he became very active in genealogy, conducting extensive research and publishing two books documenting multiple centuries of family history. He loved the outdoors and was very proud of his lawn and gardens. He and Shirley loved to travel, and often took their children with them to numerous interesting locations. Harlan was quite a conversationalist, and people often described him as having never met a stranger. He was a voracious reader and lifelong learner, in particular historical books about impactful people and world events. Harlan loved woodworking in his spare time and was also very active in scouting with his two sons.
Harlan is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Nieuwsma; three children, Steven (Peggy) Nieuwsma of Marion, Julie (Brian) Waggoner of Clive, Iowa, and David (Mary) Nieuwsma of Marion; eleven grandchildren: Benjamin of Central City, Alison of Marion, Katherine of Marion, Samuel (Sarah) of Des Moines, Joseph of Cedar Rapids, John (Jenna) of Des Moines, Joshua of Des Moines and Ella of Des Moines, Jacob of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jennifer of Glen Burnie, Maryland and Stephanie (Juan) of Lakewood, Colorado; seven great-grandchildren: Mason, Keegan, Maizik, Logan, Konnor, SJ and Lizzie; and three siblings: Connie (Ted) Overbergen of Oskaloosa, Doretha Plate of LaMars, Iowa and Dennis (Diane) Nieuwsma of Elkton, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be given to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
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