Charles Harger

Charles Lee Harger “Charlie” was born on January 19, 1947, to his parents, Ernest and Genevieve (Ramsey) Harger in Osceola, Iowa and departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on August 28, 2024. He passed at his home in Eldridge, Iowa with his wife by his side.

Charlie was raised in the Hopeville and Osceola area. His school years started at Doyle No. 3 (Pleasant Valley) and from third grade on until he graduated from Murray High School with the Class of 1965.After graduation he was employed by Felco Feed in Des Moines.

He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1967 and completed his service in 1972. In 1969 Charlie started working in train service for Chicago Northwestern Railroad.He then went through schooling to become a locomotive engineer, which he completed until retirement from Union Pacific Railroad in 2007 after 38 years.

On August 8, 1998, Charlie was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ann Oehlert. They recently celebrated their 26th anniversary. The resided in Des Moines and in 2004 moved to Eldridge, Iowa.

Charlie became a member of the Osceola Assembly of God in 1961. He also attended First Assembly of God in Des Moines.

His interests were reading the Bible, singing, listening to music, traveling, playing cards and board games, attending garage and estate sales, and spending time with family, friends and neighbors.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ernie and Genny Harger, brother Larry Roberts, sister Sondra Fleagle, nephew Mark Fleagle, brothers-in-law Bud Fleagle, Brian Oehlert and Mike Vaughn, father-in-law Bill Oehlert and mother-in-law Mabel Oehlert.

Survivors include his wife Elizabeth of Eldridge, daughter Stacee (Michael) Sledge, grandchildren Xander and Clare all of Bellingham, WA, brother Rod (Marilyn) Harger of Osceola, sister-in-law Marge Roberts of Torrington, WA, Emily Miller (Jeff) of Tiffin, E’Lynne (Lonnie) Stone of Woodburn, Marjorie Vaughn of Friendswood, TX, Mary Oehlert of Woodburn, brothers-in-law, Marty (Becky) Oehlert of Osceola, Swede (Terri) Oehlert of Galesburg, IL, good friends Ed McManus and Harold Ross both of Urbandale, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Thursday September 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Chuck DeVos officiating .Charlie’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Kale Funeral Home.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Charlie’s tribute wall beginning at 10:30 a.m., Thursday. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to his family for a fitting tribute to be decided later. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com