Dr. Ken Harlan

Funeral services for Dr. Ken Harlan, 89, of Melcher-Dallas, will be Friday, April 11, 2025
at 11:00 a.m. at the Living Word Fellowship Church in Knoxville. Family will receive
friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Following the service
a luncheon will be held at the Jenkins Center.  Burial will be at the Iowa Veterans
Cemetery on Wednesday, April 16th at 12:30 p.m.  Memorials may be made to the
Living Word Fellowship Church to be used to support Missions, as Ken was very
passionate about spreading God's word.
Born June 18, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa to Clifford and Mary Harlan, Kenneth Clifford
Harlan was the oldest of five children. He left high school early to join the Navy, serving
for 8 years as a Navy Sea Bee. He was over seas during the Korean Conflict and was
stationed in Guam, Cuba, and his favorite New Foundland. After returning home Ken’s
thirst for knowledge couldn’t be quenched. He finished his high school studies and
continued into college studying many things and completed is Doctorate in Psychology.
Ken worked with the Salvation Army, as a probation officer in San Bernadino California,
and after moving back to Iowa he worked as a Counselor at Fort Des Moines. Ken
moved to Melcher-Dallas and was Pastor at the Assembly of God Church there for
twenty years. He also served on the Melcher-Dallas Fire Department as Chaplain for
several years.
Ken was introduced to the love of his life by his sister, while working at the Hiland
Potato Chip in Des Moines. Ken and Carolyn were married on November 22, 1980, after
a short courtship.
Ken had many talents. He was very musical and could play the mandolin, he built their
home from the ground up with help from family and friends, they loved to go camping
and enjoyed a fried egg with peanut butter and ketchup almost every Saturday morning.
His greatest joy was the Lord and helping people. Ken helped so many people and was
always nonjudgemental, a good listener, humble, and devoted to his family. Through
Ken’s deep and devout faith, he drew strength from the Lord. He was passionate about
spreading the joy of Jesus Christ to the World. Although he was not able to go on a
mission trip, he was an adamant supporter.
Ken passed away at home on Saturday, April 5th.  He is survived by his wife, Carolyn;
children: Mike (Tammy) Harlan, Beverly (John) Mock, Robert (Diane) Glenn, David
Glenn, Linda (Keith) Mauk, Jeanne (Jerry) McCausland, and Janice (Rikard) Hellstrom;
10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; along with many
nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Clifford and Mary Harlan; stepson, Michael
Glenn; grandson, Jason Michael Harlan; and siblings: Nondalene Hendricksen, Teddy
Harlan, Eileen Ramsey, and David Harlan.