Hugene Wilson Hart

Hugene Wilson Hart, 94, formerly of West Des Moines died peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday June 17, 2023 at his home on 60 Meade Drive, Coralville, Iowa. Gene was born November 27, 1928 in rural Loudon County, Tennessee, to Jenny Katherine Dutton and Hugh Hart. He played football at Loudon High School, later transferring to Des Moines Technical School, Des Moines, IA, graduating in June of 1948 as President of his graduating class.

Pursuing a military career, he completed the 10 series by mail to qualify as an Officer, and rose through the ranks to Major, attending resident schools at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen MD, Military Police, SPADOC, and Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS graduating December 1972. He was a distinguished graduate of the Maintenance School in Ft. Carson, CO. Along the way, Gene served as Committee Chief for the Iowa Military Academy from May 1965 through December 1978 and was the primary instructor for Maintenance and Material Readiness. He became a player in 1963 and 1966 exercises in the LOGEX Training Series, participated in MOBEX Training 1967 to 1972 and finished his military career at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., 24th of December 1980. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel (LTC).

Gene loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and served as a Deacon in the Baptist Church at Forest Avenue and Westover in Des Moines. He particularly loved calling on the community and spreading the Good News with others. He was a home Bible study leader for many years and loved greeting people wherever possible.

Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine J. Tharp of Des Moines; father, Hugh Justin Hart of Loudon County, TN; daughter, Shari Sue Hart-Powers of Mineral, VA; sister, Alma Faye Betton of Tahoe City, CA and her husband Arnie; and sister-in-law, Barbara Jean Henderson of Des Moines, IA.

Gene is survived by his wife of 72 years, Kathryn Ann; daughter Alice Anne Swenka of Coralville, IA and her husband John; sister Christine Kathleen Silver of Rapid City, SD; grandson Lane Travis Swenka his wife Katherine and daughter Stella Sue of North Bend, WA; brother-in-law Larry D. Henderson and niece Melinda Sue Henderson of Des Moines; niece Karlene Silver-Heidebrink and her husband Rob of Piedmont, SD; nephew Craig Silver and wife Nancy and daughter Samantha of St. Paul, MN; and Curt Silver and partner Tracey Jangula of Worthington, MN.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3900 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA with visitation from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association-Iowa Chapter.