Leo Kay Harker

The service may be viewed via Zoom here.

Leo Kay Harker, 91, died on May 4, 2026, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

“Little Leo,” as he was affectionately called by his sisters, was born at the family home on December 8, 1934, in Shelley, Idaho, to Benjamin Ernest Harker and Anna Elizabeth Pehrson Harker. When he was four years old, Leo’s mother passed away unexpectedly due to Typhoid Fever. The following year, Leo gained a new mother when Ben married Ethel Catherine Dye. Ethel brought with her two children--Dennis Otto and Kathryn Ann. The union of Ben and Ethel eventually brought the addition of three more to the family—Gordon, Betty, and Mary Susan.

Leo grew up in a family of love and togetherness. Life on the farm in Shelley and later Firth (Lavaside) brought opportunities for work, but also plenty of fun (or work that was made to be fun). Leo states that when the boys got their work done, they were free to go and do what they wished.

Leo graduated from Firth High School in 1952. Due to a minor heart murmur and mild eye condition, Leo was not eligible for the draft, so he began attending Ricks College in 1953 where he enrolled in a special session oriented towards agriculture students. It was while attending Ricks College that Leo met a beautiful brunette named Darlene Neeley. Leo and Darlene were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on February 23, 1955, during a raging blizzard.

After their marriage, Leo and Darlene made their home in Shelby, Montana, where four children made the Harker family complete--Leo Scott, Deola Kay, Dixie Anna, and Dena Lynne.

While in Shelby, Leo purchased a Union 76 Service Station (back in the day when a service station was actually a “service station”), and later began working for the U.S. Postal Service.

Having weathered too many cold winters in Montana, the family went searching for sunshine, and Leo was able to get a transfer with the Post Office allowing the family to move to Goleta, California—a beautiful coastal town. While there, they enjoyed sunshine and surf. After about five years in California, homesickness set in and Leo desired to move his family closer to their grandparents and cousins. Again, Leo obtained a transfer with the Post Office, and the family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. Here, Leo and Darlene put down lasting roots. Leo was able to have several management positions with the Post Office (including Postmaster). Upon retirement from postal work, Leo and Darlene opened their own copy business.

Leo loved fishing, camping, woodworking, gardening, building model trains, golfing and sports (particularly church ball). Leo never passed up an opportunity to visit and was able to find a connection with almost everybody he met. Leo was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After 57 years of marriage, Darlene passed away unexpectedly in March 2012. Leo began searching for companionship and was led by the Spirit to Norma Jean Hardy, a very stately and gracious woman whom he immediately fell in love with. They were married in June 2012. Together, they built a life of love, adventure, and service to each other.

In the Fall of 2016, Leo began to have health issues which eventually led him to becoming a double “below the knee” amputee. Leo jokes that he lost his 6’4” stature when the doctors cut “two feet” off his height. However, Leo persevered and continued to move forward enjoying life with Norma, his constant cheerleader, always by his side.

After ten years of intermittent health challenges, Leo died peacefully and pain free in the presence of his loving wife, Norma.

Leo is survived by his wife, Norma Jean Hardy Harker; children: Leo Scott Harker (Joyce), Deola Kay Finn (Grant), Dixie Calkins; and son-in-law, Keith Pugmire. Leo has 20 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren whom he was delighted to have known and one great-great grandchild on its way. Also surviving are siblings: Carma Herbst, Ann Locke, Gordon Harker, Betty Jenks, and Mary Susan Johnson, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved. His marriage to Norma brought four step-children, 25 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren. Leo cherished the roots and branches of his family tree.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; daughter, Dena Lynne Pugmire; son-in-law, Gordon Calkins; and siblings, Afton Scoresby, Carol Miles, and Dennis Monson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Sunnyside Ward, 3721 Shadow Mountain Trail, officiated by Bishop Scott Clark. Per Leo’s wishes, no public viewing or visitation will be held. Burial will be in the Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home East Side.