Harley D. Barz, 91, passed away under the compassionate care of Dougherty Hospice on February 19, 2025.
A celebration of life will take place at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, on Thursday, March 20th, at 2:00 p.m. with fellowship and food to follow. Family will be present one hour before the service for visitation.
Harley D. Barz, son of Harvey and Mabel (Brouwer) Barz, was born September 14, 1933, in Klemme, Iowa. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1951. He attended Iowa State University in 1952. In 1953, he transferred to the University of Iowa. Later that year, he was drafted into the US Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He returned to the University of Iowa in 1955 and majored in Business, History, Literature, and Political Science. In 1962, he received a teaching certificate from Parsons College. He began teaching High School in Sheldon, Iowa. It was there he met Dora Faust who was a first year Kindergarten teacher. They were married June 13, 1964. While at Sheldon High School, he taught Government and Economics. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Guidance, he became the High School Guidance Counselor until 1973. He then began employment at Northwest Iowa Vocational School, which later became Northwest Iowa Community College. He worked in Admissions, Registrar, Placement, and as Director of Student Services. After a long and successful career, he retired in 1995. While living in Sheldon, Harley enjoyed being active in his community and church. Harley and Dora were a part of bridge and coffee clubs.
Harley will be remembered as the voice of the Orabs for home football games. He also enjoyed golfing and a yearly fishing trip with his close friends and colleagues. Harley always knew how to start a conversation, and he could find a common connection with nearly everyone he met. In 2006, Dora and Harley moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While living in Sioux Falls, Harley and Dora made many new friends in their community.
He is survived by his two daughters, Christa (Jeff) Duncanson of Brandon, South Dakota and Carrie Dvorak of Fort Worth, Texas; a grandson Riley Duncanson; granddaughters: Kailee Duncanson (Braxton Trowbridge), Caitlin (Jarred) Ross, Mackenzie Dvorak, Carley (Collin) Metz, and Findley Dvorak; great grandchildren: Ravae and Baer Metz, and Quinlan and Harlow Ross; sister Myrna (Sam) Main; a niece, Kerstin (Jerry) Kaiser and a nephew, Graydon Jr. (Michele Manfreda) Barz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dora, son Matthew, son in law Michael Dvorak, brother Graydon Barz and sister in law Marlene Barz.
