Rev. Harlan D. Meier

Rev. Harlan D. Meier, 89, of Linn, KS, died January 13, 2017, at the Linn Nursing Home. Visitation was Tuesday, January 17, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Linn. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 18, at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn. Rev. David Gruoner officiated. Eunice Beier was the organist and the congregation sang “Jesus, Savior Pilot Me”, “Amazing Grace”, and “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”. The pallbearers were Joshua Meier, Stanton Uffman, Andrew Kibble, Jamey Flowers, John Waterman, and Juston Flowers. Burial was in the church cemetery. Harlan was born June 9, 1927, in Lincoln County, KS, son of Harold and Lillie (Schroeder) Meier. On June 19, 1927, he was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Lincoln, KS, by Rev. A. Schroeder. On June 1, 1941, he was confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guthrie, OK, by Rev. Iren E. Mencke. He attended grade schools in Lincoln, KS, Orlando, OK, Wichita Falls, TX, and Guthrie, OK. He graduated from St. John’s Lutheran High School in Winfield, KS, and then attended St. John’s College in Winfield. Harlan completed his pastoral education at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. From June 19, 1950 to June 1951, he did his vicarage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Chestertown, MD. On June 6, 1952, he graduated from Concordia Seminary. On June 15, 1952, he married Betty Lois Meier. Harlan served Martinus Lutheran Church in Utica, SD, from 1952-1957, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Altus, OK, from 1957-1962, Zion Lutheran Church in Linn from 1962-1978, and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, NE, from 1978 until retiring in 1992. Harlan really enjoyed being a pastor and calling on people and encouraging them. Baptizing babies was one of his favorite things to do. He also enjoyed golfing, singing in many different choirs, reading, and playing cards. For many years, he would walk and collect aluminum cans and would give the money to anyone from his congregation that was going to school to be a church worker. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty on June 4, 2015; and three brothers, Wayne, Jerry, and David Meier. Survivors include his children, Susan (Hubert) Bell, Cheryl (Kenneth) Waterman, and James (Lahonda) Meier; four sisters, Phyllis Von Fange, Carolyn Kuhlman, Charlene (Kenneth) Weatherd, and Sharon (Kenneth) Waltersdorf; sister-in-law, Verla Meier; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established to Meadowlark Hospice, The Lutheran Hour, or Alzheimer’s Association. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Harlan D. Meier, please visit our flower store.