- Born on: August 31, 1956
- Departed on: November 19, 2025
- Resided in: Cedar Rapids, IA
Charles Alan Harken
Charles Alan Harken, of Cedar Rapids, died on November 19, 2025 in St. Luke’s Hospital from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.
Charlie was born on August 31, 1956, the 5th of 8 children, to Irene and Gerald Harken of Shell Rock, Iowa. He grew up in Shell Rock, graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1974 and from Wartburg College in 1978. While at Wartburg he met Susan Bennett and they married in Clarion, Iowa on a snowy October 24, 1981. They lived in Iowa City for a short time and then moved to Cedar Rapids, where their two sons were born, Carl in 1987 and Brian (BJ) in 1988.
Charlie was an insurance salesman, earning many memorable trips and sales awards throughout his career. He retired in 2019, although he continued to help clients and friends with their insurance needs.
Charlie had wide and varied interests. He loved sports and was a lifelong Hawkeye and Steelers fan, but his favorite teams were always those his sons played on, helping coach many of their youth teams and rarely missed any of their games. Well known for his love of fireworks, July 4 and New Year’s Eve were always his favorite holidays. He was also a self-proclaimed expert on a good pastry and, from his work travels, could tell you which small towns in Iowa had the best bakeries. And he loved to follow the weather, giving Carl the Memphis weather report during most phone calls.
Along with his wife, Charlie is survived by his sons and their wives, Carl and Garyn of Memphis, TN and BJ and Andrea of Cedar Rapids. He is PopPop to his four granddaughters, Ellie, Lily, Evie and Daisy. He is also survived by his siblings Bob (Barb), Bill (Barb), Janet (Tom) Withers, Jerry and Pam (Rick) Czerwiec; father-in-law Ron Bennett, sister-in-law Robin (Dave) Elledge, brothers-in-law Terry Williams, Mark (Janeece) Bennett and Bill (Sue) Bennett; nieces and nephews Laura, Steve, Scott, Rob, Matt, Mike, Marc, Lindsey, Lucas, Ben, Sena, Michael, Travis, Amy, Andrew and Jill as well as many great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Alphine Bennett, sisters Linda and Barbara Ann and nephew Joe.
Charlie loved a good party. Please join us as we celebrate his life at the Lion Bridge Brewery on Saturday, November 29, 4:30 – 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
Charlie was born on August 31, 1956, the 5th of 8 children, to Irene and Gerald Harken of Shell Rock, Iowa. He grew up in Shell Rock, graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1974 and from Wartburg College in 1978. While at Wartburg he met Susan Bennett and they married in Clarion, Iowa on a snowy October 24, 1981. They lived in Iowa City for a short time and then moved to Cedar Rapids, where their two sons were born, Carl in 1987 and Brian (BJ) in 1988.
Charlie was an insurance salesman, earning many memorable trips and sales awards throughout his career. He retired in 2019, although he continued to help clients and friends with their insurance needs.
Charlie had wide and varied interests. He loved sports and was a lifelong Hawkeye and Steelers fan, but his favorite teams were always those his sons played on, helping coach many of their youth teams and rarely missed any of their games. Well known for his love of fireworks, July 4 and New Year’s Eve were always his favorite holidays. He was also a self-proclaimed expert on a good pastry and, from his work travels, could tell you which small towns in Iowa had the best bakeries. And he loved to follow the weather, giving Carl the Memphis weather report during most phone calls.
Along with his wife, Charlie is survived by his sons and their wives, Carl and Garyn of Memphis, TN and BJ and Andrea of Cedar Rapids. He is PopPop to his four granddaughters, Ellie, Lily, Evie and Daisy. He is also survived by his siblings Bob (Barb), Bill (Barb), Janet (Tom) Withers, Jerry and Pam (Rick) Czerwiec; father-in-law Ron Bennett, sister-in-law Robin (Dave) Elledge, brothers-in-law Terry Williams, Mark (Janeece) Bennett and Bill (Sue) Bennett; nieces and nephews Laura, Steve, Scott, Rob, Matt, Mike, Marc, Lindsey, Lucas, Ben, Sena, Michael, Travis, Amy, Andrew and Jill as well as many great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Alphine Bennett, sisters Linda and Barbara Ann and nephew Joe.
Charlie loved a good party. Please join us as we celebrate his life at the Lion Bridge Brewery on Saturday, November 29, 4:30 – 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
