Edwin Karl Harbke

Edwin Karl Harbke

January 7, 1939 – February 3, 2022

Ed Harbke was born to Charles and Iva Harbke in Roxana, Illinois. Young Ed developed a passion for the outdoors and fishing while vacationing in Minnesota. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University, he moved to International Falls, Minnesota, and began a long and successful career in music education. He and his family relocated to Anchorage, Alaska in 1965.

Ed taught music and was the band conductor at Romig Middle, West High, and numerous Anchorage elementary schools. He took advantage of the summer months by exploring Alaska. A captain of many vessels, Ed delighted in sharing his fishing knowledge. He fished commercially and guided sport fishing from Seward and Skagway Alaska before relocating to Twin Falls, Idaho, where he returned to teaching music in Richfield and Wendell. He was a competitive golfer, and his personal time often included a successful round of golf with many stories, smiles, and a celebratory single malt Scotch.

As a trombone player, wedding singer, teacher, conductor, and audiophile, music was a constant in Mr. Harbke's life. Ed had red hair, was a dapper dresser, and certainly, a gentleman of the old school. In his later years, his sense of adventure reformed into the enjoyment of wildlife and staying abreast of the latest computer software. Ed relished opportunities to bring all the many people he cared for together. Ed frequently aspired for perfection from himself, but he hoped only for others' happiness in return.

Ed Harbke is survived by his wife Susan Kelley-Harbke and brother C. Murray Harbke, one daughter (Rehia Harbke), two sons (James Devin Harbke & Colin Harbke), one daughter-in-law (Marsha Harbke), three grandsons, one granddaughter, and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey K. Harbke.

A service will be held on March 5th at the Episcopal Church in Twin Falls. There will also be a Celebration of Life in Seward, Alaska at a later date. The family requests that memorial gifts be made to the charity of your choice, as Ed would have done. For additional information, please contact the Rosenau Funeral Home.