The Rev. Doctor Steven Harberts

October 29, 1946 - April 1, 2019

The Rev. Doctor Steven Harberts Jefferson, Iowa Date of Death: April 1, 2019 Surrounded by loved ones, the Reverend Steven Lynn Harberts passed away peacefully at home in Jefferson, Iowa on April 1, 2019. Born October 29, 1946 in Waterloo, Iowa to the Reverend Dick and Enola Harberts, Steven shared his birthday with his best friend and twin brother Stewart Lee Harberts of Essex, Iowa. Steven’s education began in the one-room Humke Schoolhouse in Center Township, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, the growing Harberts family moved to Steamboat Rock before settling in Jefferson in 1954. It was at Jefferson Elementary School – in the fourth grade – that Steven met his future, beloved wife Denise Coon. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1964, Tarkio College in 1968, and Dubuque Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 1972. In 2006, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Ordained as a Presbyterian pastor in 1972, Steven began his career in Christian Education at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Iowa. He served there for four years before relocating to Richmond, Indiana to assume the position of Senior Pastor at Reid Memorial United Presbyterian Church. Relocating to the First Presbyterian Church of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1985, Steven began an esteemed career in Pastoral Care that eventually led him to Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania in 1998. Retirement in 2012 brought Steven back to Jefferson, Iowa where he enjoyed fishing in farm ponds, smoking salmon, and scootering around the town square in his signature Hawkeyes gear. Left to carry on Steven’s legacy are his wife Denise Harberts of Jefferson, Iowa, son Aaron Harberts, and son-in-law Scott Director – both of Los Angeles, California. Additional survivors include sister-in-law Renae (Stewart) Harberts of Essex, Iowa and brothers Sidney (Maxine) Harberts of Grundy Center, Iowa, Paul (Lynette) Harberts of Rochester, Minnesota, Craig (Dorothy) Harberts of San Clemente, California, and Clark (Julie) Harberts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Additional cherished sisters-in-law are Marianne (Roger) Carlson, Teresa (Jim) Shahan, and Gina (Tom) Harrington – all of Jefferson, Iowa. Twenty-seven nieces and nephews will also tend to “Uncle Steve’s” memory. Steven was preceded in death by his parents Dick and Enola Harberts, his father and mother-in-law Don and Mary Coon of Jefferson, Iowa, and his twin brother Stewart Harberts. A celebration of Steven’s life and his service to the glory of God will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019 with a fellowship luncheon to follow. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson, the Jefferson Public Library, or the Greene County Early Learning Center. . Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home 515-386-2171