Garth Leon Haer, age 88, of Villisca, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Villisca Good Samaritan Society. Garth was born September 24, 1934, in Corning, Missouri, the son of George and Verla Faye (Hecker) Haer. He was raised in Craig, Missouri, graduating from Craig High School in 1952. After high school, Garth worked the wheat fields in Nebraska and worked for the railroad before serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he enrolled and attended Northwest Missouri State University, graduating with a teaching degree. He taught in Trenton, Missouri and Hamilton, Missouri before going back to NWMSU to receive his administration degree. Garth was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Salfrank on December 19, 1958 in Rock Port, Missouri. Villisca, Iowa, has been their home for many years, where Garth started his career with Villisca Schools as Junior High School Principal and later Elementary School Principal. In the mid 1970's, he made a career change and started with Farm Bureau Insurance as an agent. He worked in the insurance business even after he retired from Farm Bureau starting his own insurance agency. Shirley preceded him in death on May 16, 2020. Garth moved to Arlington Place Assisted Living in Red Oak where he met many wonderful friends including Chuck Eckloff who has also preceded him in death. Most recently, Garth had been a resident of Villisca Good Samaritan Society. Garth always enjoyed life, spending many hours playing golf, going to the kids and grandkids sporting events, playing cards, taking care of his yard and flowers, and going to Creighton Blue Jays games and the College World Series. He never knew a stranger and loved visiting with family and friends, going out to eat, and an occasional trip to the casino.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife; Shirley Haer; and brothers Darrell, Melvin, and Glenn Haer. Survivors include his children: Greg Haer and wife Tracy of Omaha, NE; Lesia Schafer of Clive, IA; and Steve Haer and wife Jodi of Villisca, IA; grandchildren: Jacob Haer, Taylor Haer, Megan Schafer, Kaitlyn McDonald and husband Nolan, Brendan Schafer, Morganne Sindelar and husband Alec, Lexie Haer, and Maggie Haer; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held 11 AM Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Villisca United Methodist Church with interment to be held at a later date with military honors at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the celebration of life at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the Villisca Youth Sports, the Villisca Volunteer Fire Department and EMT's, or the Villisca United Methodist Church.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.