Louis Orville Harken

Louis Orville Harken Louis Harken, 91, of Greene, passed away on July 11, 2026, at AMS Memorial in Greene. Funeral services will be 10:30, Friday July 17, at Woodley Funeral Home in Greene. A public visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday July 16, at Woodley Funeral Home in Greene. Woodley Funeral Home of Greene is caring for Louis and his family. Louis Orville Harken was born on September 22, 1934, to Obbo and Susanna (Freeseman) Harken. He attended country schools before briefly attending high school. From 1956 to 1958, Louis proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict era, serving eighteen and a half months in Korea. Following his military service, he returned home to the life he loved—farming. On March 30, 1963, Louis married the love of his life, Hermine Bloem. Together they built a life centered on family and hard work, raising two children, Kevin and Cyndy. Louis spent his entire life farming. He milked cows, raised livestock, and worked the land with dedication and pride. Even after retiring, he could still be found helping in the fields. Farming wasn't simply his career—it was who he was. When he wasn't farming, Louis enjoyed keeping busy. He loved building bird feeders and birdhouses and took great pleasure in feeding the crows and other birds that visited his yard. He could often be found whistling to imitate the birds. One of his favorite pastimes was trying to outsmart the squirrels determined to raid the bird feeders—a challenge he never seemed to tire of. Louis also had a lifelong fascination with automobiles. He was always looking for his next car, loved talking about vehicles and comparing gas mileage. Family also knew him for putting reflective stickers on just about everything and for relaxing with an old western at the end of the day. Louis was fiercely independent and determined. Once his mind was made up, it rarely changed. His stubbornness served him well throughout a lifetime of farming and military service. He was known for his incredible strength and always enjoyed a friendly arm-wrestling match. He appreciated a good joke, loved sharing a laugh with family and friends, and had a wonderful sense of humor that those closest to him will always remember. Above all else, Louis loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who found great joy in watching his family grow. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Obbo and Susanna Harken, and his sisters, Ruth Schoneman and Annetta Arjes. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 63 years, Hermine Harken; his son, Kevin (Shanelle) Harken; his daughter, Cyndy Christensen and her longtime partner, Rodney Fleshner; his grandchildren, Lee (Jessica) Christensen, Robyn (Jeren) Steffen, Heather (Kasey) Schmidt, Shane (Shelby) Harken, and Cody Harken and friend Madison Goodley; along with Rodney's children, Bayley (Dylan) Busby, Dakota Fleshner and partner Dylan Abell, and Rylan Fleshner and fiancée Brenna Smith; his great-grandchildren, Kieser, Hattie, Matilda, Everett, Ellie, Klay, Rhett, and Tripp, Rodney’s five grandchildren and one expected grandchild; his sister, Alice Heise; six nephews and two nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

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Louis Orville Harken

September 22, 1934 - July 11, 2026