Harlan A. Murley – Rural Aurora

Harlan A. Murley, 89, of rural Aurora, Iowa, died Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa.

Private family service will be held at a later date.

Inurnment: Madison Township Cemetery, rural Aurora, Iowa.

Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home, Winthrop, is assisting the family. Memorials may be directed in his name to Prairie Lakes Church of Independence or Grace United Methodist Church of Lamont.

Memorials and Condolences may be mailed to Larry Murley, 1516 Slater Avenue Aurora, Iowa 50607.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Harlan Arthur Murley was born May 5, 1936, in rural Winthrop, Iowa, the son of Lewis Arthur & Geneva L. (Bawden) Murley. He graduated from Lamont High School in the class of 1953. Harlan honorably served in the U.S. Army. He was united in marriage to Karen Kay Reed on
November 12, 1956, at a U.S. Army Base in Japan while Harlan served during the Korean War. They made their home south of Aurora where they farmed together for many years.

Harlan was a member of the Lamont Methodist Church for many years. Currently he had been attending Prairie Lakes Church in Independence. He served as a Buchanan County District Soil Commissioner for several years. Harlan was a member of the Lamont American Legion and the Buchanan County Pork Producers where he received the Master Pork Producer Award. He had also received the Wallace’s Iowa Master Farmer Award. Harlan enjoyed farming, photography, antique farm equipment, traveling, and spending time with the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren on the farm.

Harlan is survived by his 3 Children: Larry (Pam) Murley of Aurora, Sherylynne Murley-Allen of Spokane, Washington & Kent Murley of Sequim, Washington; 4 Grandchildren: Melissa (Ed) Ludt, Kelly (Markie) Murley, Mark (Christa) Murley and Rebekkeh Allen; 11 Great Grandchildren; 2 Brothers: Collin (Cindy) Murley of Marengo & Lon (Donna) Murley of South Amana; Special Cousin: Karen Rae Elsberry of Ogden and Nieces & Nephews.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Karen; brother in infancy: Jimmy and son-inlaw: Lon G. Allen.