Stewart Harberts

Stewart Lee Harberts, 69, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Madonna Rehab Center in Bellevue, Nebraska.

Celebration of life memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Essex, Iowa.  Memorial visitation with the family will be held from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa.  Inurnment will be held at the Essex Cemetery in Essex, Iowa. 

Stewart, son of Dick and Enola (Jacobs) Harberts, was born on October  29, 1946 in Waterloo, Iowa. His early life was spent growing up in the community of Steamboat Rock, Iowa. Then his family moved to Jefferson, Iowa where he attended grade school from 4th grade and graduated from Jefferson High School with the Class of 1964.  After High School Stew attended Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri from 1964 to 1971.  He took a break from college to honorably serve 2 years, 9 months, 29 days, 7 hours and 40 minutes in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969.  During Stew’s college years he spent time as a catcher for a semi-pro baseball team in Fort Dodge, Iowa and also worked as a iron worker on high rise buildings in New York City. While attending Tarkio College, Stew met the love of his life Renae Walstrom. On July 8, 1972, Stew was united in marriage to Renae, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manson, Iowa.  Following their marriage they resided in the Imogene, Iowa area before settling in Essex.  To this union three children were born, Tamara, Jonathan and Brent. Stew began working for the Iowa State Department of Revenue in 1972.  A year later in 1973, he went to work at the Essex Elevator, eventually becoming a part owner/operator.  The people Stew worked with and the customers he served allowed him to thoroughly enjoy his 35 years at Essex Elevator.  Stew was an active member in his community.  He gave his time and resources to organizations including Commercial Club and Essex Community Schools. He was an involved member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Essex, the Essex American Legion Post #333 and the Shenandoah Elks Club.  He enjoyed sports, fishing, golf, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren.  

Preceding Stew in death were his parents.  Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Renae Harberts of Essex; three children, Tamara Fuelling and husband David Michael of Newport, MN, Jonathan Harberts and wife Kirsten of Columbus, OH, and Brent Harberts and wife Callie of Helena, MT; five grandchildren, Tyler Lee Fuelling, Danica Renae Fuelling, Benjamin Noah Harberts, Elliott Ludwig Harberts and Charlie Stewart Harberts; five brothers, twin brother, Steven Harberts and wife Denise of Jefferson, IA, Sidney Harberts and wife Maxine of Grundy Center, IA, Paul Harberts and wife Lynette of Rochester, MN, Craig Harberts and wife Dorothy of San Clemente, CA,and Clark Harberts and wife Julie of Cedar Rapids, IA; other relatives and many friends.

Stew lived for the happiness of his wife, family, and good friends.  Through his love for God, he touched the lives of many.  

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Shenandoah Food Pantry or St. John’s Lutheran Church of Essex. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with family at www.hackettlivingston.com.  Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home of Shenandoah, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements.