Obituary of Harvey Post

Harvey James Post was born June 16, 1922, to Gerrit and Kate (Van Oort) Post near Middleburg, Iowa. He moved with his parents to a farm near Hartley, Iowa in 1936. He attended the area country school. In October of 1942, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was assigned to active duty as a Machinist Mate on the U.S.S. Menges 320; a destroyer escort that experienced much hazardous service in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The Menges was torpedoed on May 3, 1944, by a German U-boat while escorting a convoy off the coast of Algeria. Thirty-one crew members lost their lives, and twenty-five were injured. The ship was virtually cut in half, but was heroically rescued and towed to Algeria. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Harvey returned to Hartley where he was engaged in farming. On January 19, 1951, he was united in marriage to Anna Van Den Berg of Sheldon, Iowa. They moved to his farm near Hartley. To this union four children were born, a son and three daughters. Harvey and Anna farmed for 45 years until retiring in 1995. They made their home in Sanborn. Harvey was very devoted to his farming vocation, but still took time to be involved with his church and community. He was a longtime member of the First Reformed Church in Sanborn, where he served as both Elder and Deacon for many years. He was a 60-year continuous member of the American Legion Conaway Post #318, and a member of the Sailors’ Association. He served on the board of directors for the Co-Op Elevator in Sanborn, and was a past-president of the Sanborn Burial Association board of directors. Harvey took great interest in his family, and was especially proud of his grandsons. He appreciated his many friends. He passed away at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, on Thursday, March 3, 2011, at age 88. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, LeRoy, and a sister in infancy. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Anna; his children and their families: Curtis C. Post of Storm Lake, IA, Dorole Deane and her husband Aaron King of Davenport, IA, Dione Dawn and her husband Dr. LeRoy Larson of Lakeland Shores, MN, Natalie Joy and her husband Kevin Snyder of Isanti, MN and his twin grandsons, Nicholas and Jordan King; four sisters, Gladys (Conrad) Prins of Sanborn, Jeane (Marvin) Olhausen of Hartley, Irma (Marvin) Jacobsma of Hartley, and Glenda (Dean) Schroeder of Pine, CO; a brother, John (Evelyn) Post of Sanborn; a sister-in-law, Penny Post of Fostoria, IA; other relatives and many friends. Celebrating the life of Harvey J. Post Born ~ June 16, 1922 Died ~ March 3, 2011 Age ~ 88 years 8 months 17 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 7, 2011 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Pastor Gary Hegstad Organist ~ Jill Dykstra Pianist ~ Judy Dykstra Congregational Singing Processional ~ “In the Garden” “Saved by Grace” Recessional ~ “Abide with Me” Pallbearers Curtis Post Aaron King LeRoy Larson Kevin Snyder Nicholas King Jordan King Ushers Rod Jacobsma Ray Schnurr Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa Military Graveside Rites Conducted by Earl T. Conaway Post #318 ~ Sanborn