Thomas Harksen Obituary

Thomas K. Harksen

November 22, 1946-January 7, 2023

DAVENPORT-Thomas K. Harksen, 76, of Davenport, IA, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, January 12, at the Runge Mortuary. A funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Friday, January 13, at First Baptist Church, Davenport. He will be laid to rest in Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in his honor to First Baptist Church Davenport. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

Thomas was born November 22, 1946 to Karl and Annemale (Gutzeit) Harksen in Davenport, IA. On August 21, 1971, he was united in marriage to Donna Frymoyer in Davenport. He was a 1965 graduate of West High School in Davenport, later receiving his BSE from Northeast Missouri State in 1970 and MA from Marycrest College in 1986. Thomas worked numerous jobs before teaching and during summers including beer concession at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. He taught speech and drama at Oskaloosa High School, Special Education at JB Young, Sudlow Junior High, and retired from West High in 2009, where he also taught public speaking and was the debate coach.

Thomas was a member of First Baptist Church of Davenport where he was active in all areas of the ministry. He was a Quad Ruby Member of the National Forensic League.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Harksen, Davenport, IA; children, Erich (Erin) Harksen, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Faith (Tony) Leatherman, Davenport, IA; 3 special grandchildren, Paige and Holden Harksen, and Tate Leatherman; and sister, Patrice Lake and brother-in-lawest friend, David Lake, Davenport, IA.