Harry "Mike" Harlan

Harry “Mike” Harlan passed away in Beatrice on June 12, 2026. He was born November 19, 1943, to Harry W. Harlan II and Margaret Bailey Harlan in Clarendon, TX. Parents divorced when he was 4 and he spent most of his early years with his paternal Grandparents in McLean, TX. His fondest memories of those years were of trips to the Texas coast to go deep sea fishing and camping out under the stars at Trout Haven in New Mexico every summer. He graduated from McLean High School in 1961.

He married Ida Watkins in 1962, and 2 sons were born to this marriage. They divorced in 1967. He married Dorothy Wieden in Pampa, Texas in 1968 and this marriage lasted 58 years. Mike and Dorothy raised a blended family of 5 children in Odell, NE. Mike was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineer in Pipeline Construction for 22 years. He worked on the Trans-Alaskan pipeline from 1975-1976 and had many interesting stories to tell from that experience. He later was a Superintendent for A & L Underground, Olathe, KS for 24 years. He also found time to volunteer as a fireman for the Odell Rural Fire Department, coach youth baseball, and lead Boy Scouts. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran in Odell, NE and later also attended St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Diller, NE. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who always put his family first. He loved telling stories about his pipeline days and his early life in Texas.

Survivors include: his wife Dorothy of Beatrice, NE, Vicki (Rob) Stroup of Raymore, MO, Michael J (Naomi) Harlan of Beatrice, NE, David (Diane) Harlan of Lindale, TX, Todd Harlan of Beatrice, NE, Holli (Scott) Pretzer of Diller, NE, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and half-brother H.W. Harlan III of Clarendon, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Harry W Harlan I and Helen, stepfather H.J. Smith, and nephew Michael Harlan.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice from Noon to 8pm, with family greeting friends and family from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A family graveside service at the Evangelical Lutheran St John’s Cemetery in Lanham, KS, to be performed at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice for future designation in care of the Mortuary. As we remember Mike, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary and Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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