White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

“Lakhota”

Paul Lester Harker Jr., also known as Lakhota, of Cedar Rapids, IA passed peacefully into the afterlife to be with Jesus on March 7th at 3:45pm. Paul died from mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, caused from asbestos exposure.

Paul was born to Paul Lester Harker Sr. and Dolores Sarah Evans in Mt. Holly, New Jersey on January 13th, 1956. When Paul was a young boy he came to live with Patricia (Beltz) Van Auken who then raised him as her son. He was baptized at the Walker Bible Church on March 31 st, 1996 by Pastor Don Henderson.
Paul attended Bethel Baptist Church in Independence, IA. Married to Diane Willett in Dubuque, IA on July 25 th , 1980 and divorced amicably in 2007.

Paul was preceded in death by his father and biological mother, a brother James Shoars, a sister Carol Malinowski and a stepmother Mary-Ann Schmitt.

Surviving are his children, Elizabeth (Lee) Spratt of Oxford, IA; Tyler Harker of Cedar Rapids, IA and Lindsay (Chris) Butterfield of Center Point, IA. A God-daughter, Johanna Hirt of Andover, MN. Twelve grandchildren. His mother, Patricia (Beltz) Van Auken of Fredericka, IA. Siblings, William Shoars of Independence, IA; Michael Shoars of Ionia, IA; David (Jen) Shoars of Fredericka, IA; Johnna (Steve) Hirt of Andover, MN; Karen Randall of Independence, IA; John (Wendy) Harker of Independence, IA; Deanna (Bill) Armstead of Independence, IA; Dolly Jean Rasmussen of Quasqueton, IA and Debra Lee (James) Marsh of Independence, IA. A step-brother Dean (Theresa) Briggs of Independence, IA and a step-sister, Kimberly Harker of Independence, IA. A stepmother, Donna Harker of Independence, IA. A beloved Aunt, Judith Hanson of Reno, NV.

Paul worked many years as a tire tech and salesman and ran Harker’s Royal 3 Tire in Walker, IA for 16 years. He was a musician that played the guitar and wrote songs. He crafted Native American flutes and played them as well. A fan of baseball he enjoyed watching the Cubs. Playing the guitar and singing with his son, Tyler, was his favorite thing to do. He was also an avid animal lover, especially dogs. He leaves behind three dogs, Buddy, Billie and Momo; two cats, Thomas and Kibby and one horse, Jobie to be taken care of by family.

Family and friends are invited to White Funeral Home in Independence, IA for visitation on Sunday, March 10th from 1-5pm. Funeral Services will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Independence, IA on Monday, March 11th at 1:30pm.

Grave side service are extended to close family and friends.

Appreciation to Jennifer Zalaznik, nurse practitioner of Dubuque, IA and friends, Mark Mihalakis of Sherrill, IA; John Hosmer of Independence, IA; Al Harves, Dean Wellman and Dave Hannson all of Dubuque, IA and Luke & Angie from Unity Point in Cedar Rapids, IA. A special thank you to Mike and Tina Andersen. Please send all gifts and flowers to Bethel Baptist Church.