Harvard "Harv" Allen Punt

         Harv Punt age 69 of Hull, IA died from injuries sustained while doing what he loved, “helping others”.

     A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19th, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church of Middleburg IA.  

     A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church of Middleburg, IA, with Pastor Mark J. Schwarz officiating.  Interment will follow in the Capel Township Cemetery of Middleburg. The service will be livestreamed on the Church facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/watch/100067669998391/ 

     All memorials will be distributed to Harv's favorite charities.

    Harvard Allen Punt was born on November 23, 1953, in El Paso, TX to Ralph and Arlene (Rozeboom) Punt.  As his father Ralph was in the Army, he grew up in Missouri, South Carolina, and Georgia until moving to rural Sioux Center in 1955. He later graduated from Sioux Center High School and then attended an automotive and diesel technical college in Kansas City.  Harv tragically lost his dad in 1966 in a tractor accident and had to serve in his dad’s absence as the oldest of 8 children. Harv’s mother, Arlene, along with the 8 children continued to run the family farm instilling a work ethic that many have never experienced, out of necessity. That work ethic along with the strong Christian faith shaped Harv into the generous person he was. 

     On June 3, 1978, Harv was united in marriage to Loretta “Lori” Van Der Wilt after meeting her while they were working as camp counselors at Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center, near Inwood, IA.  To this union two children were born, Heidi and Nathan. Harv was involved with the Siouxland Energy Cooperative, and Com-tech Ingredient Systems. Harv and Lori owned and operated Country Wrench, H & L Enterprises, and then Livestock Equipment and Manufacturing (LEM).   After thirty-six years of marriage, Lori passed away from complications of cancer.

     Harv met LaRae Burkman (Sweeney) on Christian Mingle, and a short time later they married on July 25, 2015. LaRae brought 4 adult sons into the family circle, and thus many large family gatherings ensued. Something Harv and LaRae enjoyed immensely. 

     Harv was a member of the Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church of Middleburg, where he served as a Deacon, an Elder and helped with many church projects.  He was also very passionate about Mission Work. Harv had a sincere servant’s heart and traveled around the country helping others in need. Every Friday morning for 30 years he attended a men’s Bible Study resulting in greater love for his Lord and others as well as lifelong friendships.

     Harv was very dedicated to his Livestock Equipment and Manufacturing business, designing, manufacturing, and selling safe and efficient cattle working equipment. Harv was a craftsman and loved a challenge and helping design facilities for his customers. Many times, he would hear the term “Harvafied” when he delivered a workable solution to an otherwise impossible situation. Keeping the operator and the animal safe was his driving force, and he was very proud of patenting the “True Neck Extender” for cattle chutes. Late summer was always busy with farm shows and county fairs as an outreach to the cattlemen and cattlewomen.  Harv operated LEM alongside Heidi and Dan Oolman, his daughter and son-in-law, until the time of his death.

 Harv’s favorite hobbies were helping others, collecting farm toys and old International Harvester Tractors and Implements. Red was his color. Harv enjoyed watching tractor pulls, keeping an eye out in the spring for the first spot of corn in the rows, and the first tasseling of corn in the summer. He no longer farmed land, yet he kept a watchful eye on everything around him. 

In the past year, Harv and LaRae opened their home to help raise their two granddaughters: Everley and Kinsley. Harv enjoyed being a father figure to them and helping them grow in their faith. His prayers were pivotal in helping the girls learn to pray to Jesus. 

     Harv is survived by his wife, LaRae Punt; children: Heidi (Dan) Oolman, Nathan (Kristi) Punt, Brian Rand, Jordan Rand, James (Anna) Burkman, and Jeremiah Burkman; nine grandchildren: Haylee, Paul, Jocelynn, Audrey, Claire, Isaac, Timothy, Everley and Kinsley. Seven siblings: Roger (Nancy) Punt, Wanda (Alex) Peat, Bernard “Bernie” (Pamela) Punt, Ed (Cheryl) Punt, Jane Case, Mary (Don) Morfitt, and Carol (Vince) Yusten; nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his first wife, Loretta Punt; father, Ralph Punt; mother, Arlene (Punt) Bidwell; stepfather, Forrest Bidwell, and nephew, Jason Gernandt.