Dean A. Harfst

Dean Allen Harfst, 83, of Mason City, IL passed away on March 11, 2023 at the Mason City Area Nursing Home. He was born May 14, 1939 in Easton, IL to John and Frieda (Dierker) Harfst. Dean was a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church in Mason City, IL.

Dean is survived by his wife Cheryl (Krusemark) Harfst of Mason City, IL, his children Gina (Scott) Schwader of East Peoria, IL, Robby (Danette) Harfst of Sheridan, WY, and Jonathan (Jessica) Harfst of Battle Creek, MI, his grandchildren Austin (Bridget) Harfst, Mitchell Harfst, Jon McCann, Sara Harfst, Kaytlyn Harfst, and Easton Harfst, and his first great-granddaughter due in June of 2023. He is also survived by a brother, Roger Lynn (Pearl) Harfst of Easton, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Dean’s passions have always been farming and sports. Dean graduated from Easton High School in 1957 where he was a star basketball and track athlete. He attended the University of Illinois and was a walk-on member of the Fighting Illini Basketball Team. After a semester at U of I, he felt his calling back to the family farm. During his farm tenure, he raised numerous crops, many species of livestock, custom farmed, and even broke his hip getting bucked off a horse. This diversified background led him to a focus on crops and his love of purebred Hereford cattle.

Dean loved to mentor youth. Over the years he was the “Voice of the Easton Hawks” as announcer and scorekeeper for High School basketball, a little league coach, a state advisor for the Illinois Jr. Hereford Association, and a national advisor for the National Junior Hereford Association.

After retiring from farming in 2004, his passions turned to watching his grandchild in their many endeavors, 2-cylinder John Deere tractors, and the fast-paced world of antique tractor pulls. He’s hauled tractors to the Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan as well as across the nation to Oregon with his red Chevy trucks. He also had a big passion for the St. Louis Cardinals and Illini basketball.

Dean was a stranger to no one. His friendly demeanor and big ole’ grin was warm and welcoming wherever he went. Dean was well-known for his humor and his famous one-liners. He truly loved the relationships he had with his family and friends.

A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church in Mason City, burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City. A Celebration of Life will be held after the services on Saturday at the Fire House in Easton from 4:00 -7:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or Illinois Jr. Hereford Association. Online condolences can be left at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of the arrangements.