Harlan William Dankers was born Dec. 3, 1954, in Lincoln, to Elmer and LaVerne (Haase) Dankers and passed away Dec. 8, 2023, surrounded by his family in Omaha, at the age of 69 years and 5 days.
Harlan grew up in Pleasant Dale on the family farm and attended grade school in Pleasant Dale. He graduated from Milford High School with the Class of 1972. After high school, he worked for Beale Construction and then began farming his own land while also raising cattle and hogs. On July 28, 1979, Harlan was united in marriage to Kim Reed, and to this union, three children were born. Harlan was a servant in several ways. He served on the Pleasant Dale Fire Department for 42 years and was president of the fire department for nearly 20 of those years. He often donated blood and volunteered with the American Red Cross. Harlan was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served as an usher for many years.
In his free time, Harlan enjoyed playing golf, bowling, hunting, fishing and playing cards. He also loved to have coffee at the co-op and spend time with his friends. Sports were a huge part of Harlan’s life, and he had a true passion for coaching baseball. Most of all, Harlan adored all his grandchildren and loved spending time with them. One of his favorite things to do was to give his grandchildren 4-wheeler rides.
Harlan is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Stephen and Gerald “Moose” Dankers; parents-in-law, Keith and Margie Reed; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Kim Dankers; sons and their spouses, Jeff (Karleigh) Dankers, Mike Dankers, and Nick (Kayla) Dankers; grandchildren, Emma Warner, Trey and Mia Stoynev, Kinley and Knoxlyn Dankers, and Kason, Sydney and Brynlee Dankers; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Cheri and Bob Brown, Scott and Sonja Reed; uncle, Robert Haase; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The memorial service was Dec. 15 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale with inurnment at the Pleasant Dale Cemetery with last call provided by the Pleasant Dale Fire Dept. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
