Harlan O. Dell “Butch”, age 79 of Clinton, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, January 13, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday at the Pape Funeral Home and from 9:30 until the service time Friday at the church. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Harlan’s grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com
Harlan was born in Maquoketa, Iowa on July 16, 1943, the son of Harlan P. and Mary (Billups) Dell. He graduated from Charlotte High School. Harlan enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He was stationed in Hawaii and Japan and on the USS Frank E. Evans. Harlan married Donna Ketelsen on August 16, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlotte. He was employed at E.I. DuPont for 35 years. Harlan was a member of St. John Lutheran Church where he served as a Trustee and as a Stephen Minister. He served on the Board of Directors for the Clinton LumberKings and was a past member of the Izaak Walton League. Harlan was a member of the Amvets and proudly served on the Honor Guard. He coached Little League and refereed many basketball games. Harlan enjoyed attending his grandkids activities including basketball games, baseball games, dance recitals, band concerts, gymnastics meets and choir concerts. Harlan enjoyed all things outdoors including hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes, and spending time at the family cabin on the Maquoketa River. His hobbies also included gardening, bike riding and woodworking. He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. Harlan loved talking to people and made friends wherever he went.
Harlan is survived by his wife Donna; 3 children, Kevin (Camil) Dell of Clinton, Kirt (Connie) Dell of Clinton, and Kimberly (Lance) Mouw of West Des Moines, IA; 7 grandchildren, Tyler (Amanda) Dell, Ryan (Bethany) Dell, Tanner Dell, Kyle Dell, Erica Dell, Courtney Mouw, and Hallie Mouw; 5 great grandchildren, Maggie, Wyatt, Tucker, Paisley, and Gracie; 3 brothers, Steve (Sandy) Dell of Maquoketa, Harry (Sharon) Dell of Faribault, MN, and Terry Dell of Camanche; 2 sisters, Nancy McMurray of Austin, TX and Marianne (Butch) Blanche of Eldridge, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Larry and 2 sisters-in-law, Judy Dell and Lois Dell.