October 16, 1946 – September 10, 2025
Philip Harken, 78 of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sept. 10, 2025. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Ackley Rec Club. A private family burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery in Ackley. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.
Phil was born in Eldora, Iowa to Raymond and Mary Jane (Chegwyn) Harken and grew up in Ackley, Iowa. After graduating from Ackley-Geneva High School in 1965, he attended Ellsworth Community College and Charles City College. He and Joyce Siems started dating after a chance meeting at the Ackley pool. Though they were married on the coldest day of the year in 1968, their nearly 57 years of marriage was filled with warmth and love.
Phil and Joyce moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa where he worked as a peace officer for the IDOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division for 28 years, retiring with recognition for excellence from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Phil’s most treasured role, however, was that of husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. With patience and love he raised two daughters and took great pride in cultivating their independent nature. He was known for his quick wit, deep voice, and calm demeanor that brought others a sense of peace even in difficult times.
Phil is survived by his loving wife, Joyce (Siems) Harken and their daughter Elizabeth Harken, three granddaughters Chyrstyn, Kaitlyn, and Makenzie McCain, son-in-law Shawn McCain, sister Jane (Harken) Schlampp, and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter Joylyn (Harken) McCain, parents Raymond and Mary Jane, and sister Norma (Harken) Renken. Services will be held in Iowa at a future time.
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