Mike Harter passed away Monday July 18, 2022 in a tragic automobile accident while doing one of the things he most enjoyed, educating young people.
This isn’t so much an obituary but a letter to those that knew Gregory Michael Harter (G Mike).
On April 27th, 1951, in a log cabin in Pisgah, IA, Mike was born to Guy and Eloise (Erixon) Harter.
Mike grew up working on the family farm in the Loess Hills of Iowa. Always a teacher at heart, even as a child, Mike loved learning and knew at a young age he wanted to share that passion with others.
Mike met the love his life in 1972 while attending the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in driver’s education and political science. On May 24th, 1975, Mike and Marla were united in marriage in Olin, IA. The very next day the newlyweds moved to Council Bluffs, IA, and Mike worked at a meat packing plant in Omaha. Three months later they moved to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, SD, where they both began their teaching careers.
In 1978, they welcomed their first son Andy, and in 1979 Mike and his family moved to Orient, IA, to begin teaching high school social studies and coaching baseball, football and basketball for Orient Macksburg.
In 1983, to complete their family, Mike and Marla welcomed their son Ryan.
After earning his master’s degree in Education Administration from Northwest Missouri State in 1985 the family moved to Russell, IA, where he was the high school principal, while still being able to teach a variety of classes.
In 1991, Mike was offered the high school principal job at Wapsie Valley High School which began his love for a town and community that would become his forever home. A community where his sons would graduate high school and, in 2018, was honored to be elected the Mayor of Fairbank.
After eleven years at Wapsie Valley, Mike became the superintendent at East Greene Schools in western Iowa, while also serving on the Iowa Girl’s Athletic Union. Not wanting to uproot his family, but not wanting to pass on a great opportunity, he traveled back and forth, coming home on weekends, to be with his family.
Although, self-admittedly not much of an athlete in high school, Mike loved all sports and coached many teams throughout the years—his true passion was baseball. At a young age his love for the New York Yankees began. He was overjoyed the summer of 1995 when he finally got to experience watching his favorite team play at Yankee Stadium with his family.
Before retiring from education in 2014, Mike was honored to serve one year as the interim superintendent for Wapsie Valley Schools—and although that came to and end, Mike never gave up his passions—teaching Driver’s Education, officiating as many sports as he could and substitute teaching wherever and whenever he was needed.
Mike’s family was his life. Having loved watching his boys excel in their activities throughout high school, his greatest joy was being able to watch his five grandchildren thriving in all of their activities. You could find him cheering on the Warriors on the bottom row of the visitor’s section at Wapsie Valley Varsity Basketball games.
Mike was a man of integrity, passion and love. As a lifelong public servant, in addition to dedicating his life to teaching hundreds of students, he also was passionate about serving and leading the communities he lived in. Holding organ donorship close to his heart, Mike was a proud organ donor though the Iowa Donor Network.
Mike is preceded in death by his mother, father, and two brothers; Leo and Gary and two sisters-in-law; Nancy and Vicki Harter.
Mike is survived by his beautiful wife Marla Sanborn Harter; children Andy (wife Jeni) and Ryan (partner Jasmin) five grandchildren; Peyton (fiancé Maddie), Carson, Mason, Grace, and Maddux, two brothers, Harlan Harter, Rex (Mary) Harter and one sister, Patti (Mike) Crozier and a sister-in-law, Jayne Harter. Along with many nieces and nephews.
Leaving behind so many amazing memories of all that knew him, Mike will be greatly missed and will always remain in our hearts. Thank you for always being you Mike!
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” -Babe Ruth
A celebration of life will be held at Wapsie Valley High School at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2022. A reception will be held at the American Legion following the celebration of life. All those who knew and loved Mike are encourage to come.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be placed in Mike’s honor. Donations will be used to establish a memorial in his honor.
Condolences for Gregory “Mike” Harter
So very sorry to hear of Mikes passing. I am a friend of Jayne and Gary’s and. Your family attended Gary’s memorial at the country Club. I was the lady that was at the chance booth. Sending prayers to all of your families.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Mr. Harter was certainly one of kind. His leadership at Wapsie Valley rivaled that of few others. His quiet leadership showed how much he cared for us students from the moment we walked into that school until we were back home again. My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Harter, Andy, and Ryan and all family members. May his memory live long through our actions and commitments to our local communities as Mr. Harter did for Fairbank and the Wapsie Valley Warrior communities. Many prayers of comfort for you all.
Rest In Peace uncle Mike. I can’t believe I won’t see you at breakfast on one of your many Omaha visits. I’ll miss you always. Love , Deb
Dear Marla, Andy, and Ryan,
Whether as a principal, officiating partner, fantasy baseball ‘teammate”, poker player across the table, or simply as someone I could call a friend, Mike was never anything less than the epitome of grace, class, and humility.
My dad and I would frequently talk about what a great man Mike was after spending time around him. We were both so fortunate to get to spend so much quality time with him. Hopefully, a poker game or some good baseball talk is taking place upstairs today.
After moving to Arizona, Mike never failed to seek me out and see how life was going, and we often found that time as an excuse to head to Oelwein for some Pizza Ranch with Pat.
I know that nothing can take away the pain of your loss, but I hope that hearing about how deeply your husband and father impacted so so many people will allow you some solace.
Deepest Condolences,
Scott Moeller.
Yes Mr. Harter! What a great man and wonderful family he has! I cherish all of the fun I had growing up and hanging out with The family! I pray for you all. ❤️ 🙏 Thinking of all of you as you go through this very difficult time!
So sad to hear about Mike, he was a good man and common sense educator. My wife Patty loved working with him at East Greene and my kids thought he was great! He will be missed… Blessings to his wife Marla and family.
Deepest sympathy Marla and family Gene &Jeanne Heineman
Jayne. So very sorry to hear of your brother in laws passing Mindee just called to tell me about it. May God give you peace knowing he was doing what he loved.
So sorry for the familys loss. Mike was my principle back in middle school and some of high school in Russell, Ia. Mike and Marla were great people.
Marla
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers for all of you.
We are so saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. Ron thought alot of Mike. He enjoyed working with him at East Greene. Enjoyed keeping in touch by meeting for lunch. Loved going to UNI and Creighton basketball games with him! He was, simply said, a great guy! Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Ron is unable to attend the celebration of life due to having a medical procedure but he will be thinking of you. Marcia and Ron McNeill
I am so sorry to Marla and family. Mike was a great mentor to me and gave me my first chance at being an administrator. He always backed my decisions and was there when I needed to talk things out. I can’t believe how much he loved being an official and teaching drivers ed, he just couldn’t stop teaching. He touched many lives and will be missed and I hope he finds peace and can now watch his Yankees every day!
A sad day for the public, He was a great .man with a good heart
Thoughts and prayers for the family. Mr. Harter was my principal at Russell class of 87. He was very understanding always there when I needed mentor I was honored to call him a friend.
To Marla and family,
I first met your husband, father, and grandfather when he welcomed me to my job interview at WVHS. Mike led a team of teachers during my interview, The interview was so relaxed and friendly that the one hour seemed like 15 minutes. That’s the way Mike was, he made you feel like one of the family. So even when I had a personal family crisis on the first day of school in August 2000, he said, “go take care of your family, Bob'” As the saying goes, people may forget what a person says or does but people will always remember how a person makes you feel. Mike made a lot of people feel good. RIP
This new has shook me. Mike was my daughters drivers education teacher during this class current class. She had just drove with Mike Sunday and was set to drive again Tuesday which sadly did not come. Thank you for watching after our kids and being a role model. I am so saddened by what has happened. Prayers to the family. He seemed like an amazing man.
With heartfelt sympathy to Marla and family. Please know that our prayers are with you as the days pass.
Marla, I’m so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I enjoyed having him as a teacher at O-M. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 🙏💞
We were very sorry to hear of Mr. Harter’s tragic death. He died at the same time as one of Denver’s former HS pitchers. Perhaps Mr. Harter is calling Jim’s balls and strikes just as he did many years ago.
God Bless.
My thoughts and prayers are with Marla, Andy, and Ryan and also with Mike’s siblings Rex, Harlan, and Patty. He was the cousin who kept me in the loop when there was news in the Harter family. He was into geneology and charged me with writing a history of the Harters of Harrison county years ago. Sadly, I still haven’t finished it.
So sad to hear the news of Mike’s passing via the car accident. While working at the Iowa Dept of Ed and then supt at West Central, I always enjoyed visiting with Mike. We attended a number of meetings together over the years. RIP, Mike!
My memories of Mr. Harter are of him as a principal, teacher, and sometimes referee/umpire at our various sporting events. He recruited me and a classmate to gather attendance and lunch counts and to write, print, and distribute the daily informational flyers, which made us feel so important. Our senior year, Mr. Harter took a car load of us from his government class up to Des Moines on the eve of the 1988 election to hear Michael Dukakis speak in the middle of the night at the airport. Although we know how that election turned out, I never forgot it, and it contributed to my life-long interest in politics and one’s civic duty. This is what Mr. Harter inspired on others. I recently found several boxes of stuff from my high school and college years, and among them are various certificates signed by Mr. Harter. I am so saddened he is gone so soon, but I take great comfort in seeing all these messages and in knowing he made such a positive impact on so many people, just like he did with me.
Sending love and comfort to Marla, Andy, Ryan, and the rest of the family. May his memory be a blessing to you all.
Mike changed my life. 15 years ago I was ready to leave Missouri and start teaching in Iowa. Mr. Harter hired me and all the great things that have happened for me since stem from that.
Thank you. God Bless you and your family.
Marla..so sorry for your loss I was one of the people who was working the night we lost your mother peace be with you and your family at this difficult time!
Candy Bunce
Pinicon Place
What a testament to a life well lived!
Marla and Family,
Sending my most heartfelt condolences over the loss of Mike. I taught with you both at Orient- Macksburg and will never forget the fun we had while doing so. Students and teachers alike LOVED Mr. Harter. Rest In Peace Mike.