Christopher Bernard Huber

Christopher Bernard Huber, 68, of New Hampton (Jerico), Iowa, passed away at home on Saturday, February 14, 2026, of a rapid battle with small-cell carcinoma, with his wife and beloved pet companion, Thelma, by his side.

Graveside service will be held at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Crane Creek Lutheran Cemetery in Jerico, with Troy Tambornino, Keagan Tambornino, Kelly Bohlen, Eddie Denner, August Throndson, and Brian Reicks serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Judge, Mike Friedhof, Rick Drewelow, Don Dixon, Noah Heinrich, Dave Qually, and Sid Bigelow.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton, where there will be a 7:00 p.m. Parish Scripture Service with Rev. Chris Podhajsky.

Chris was born on Wednesday, January 22, 1958 in New Hampton, IA the son of Kenneth and Jeanne Huber (Halvorson). He attended school in New Hampton, IA where he graduated from New Hampton High School. Music was a large part of his life from the time he was in marching band in school throughout his many years playing bass guitar in "rock bands", including "Crazy Eyes" and "Dead Ear", attending concerts, and swimming many hours in their Florida pool house listening to Pandora.

After high school, Chris worked for Dorfman Auto Supply in Waverly, IA, then A & K Motor Supply in New Hampton, and Mike and Bill Lowe's Auto/Truck Parts before purchasing the business along with the Kum & Go building which became Huber Auto Parts (NAPA). He was a very successful and intelligent businessman. He had a "gift" for numbers and names, never having to look up a parts number in a catalog.

Chris met the love of his life, Carolyn Barkhausen, in 1982 at Rock Springs Disco in Elk Run Heights, IA where he asked her to dance. It was love at first sight. They began their married life on August 22, 1987 at the Crane Creek Church in Lawler, IA. Chris and Carolyn bought an acreage and built their home in Jerico IA, later purchasing the auto parts business which Chris ran and Carolyn taught at New Hampton School District.

Chris turned their land into a hunter's and fisherman's paradise, committing the land to CRP, stocking pheasant and fish. With the help of a dear friend, a food plot is maintained to feed the deer, turkey, pheasants, and other wildlife. He loved hunting and fishing and riding his tractor while singing the "Green Acres" theme song.

Chris also loved woodworking. He was always building and carving something unique. He built most everything inside their home, sometimes with the help from his late father-in-law or good friend, Mike Throndson. He loved to build gifts for people using wood.

Chris enjoyed working on and restoring vehicles, mainly older models. His proudest achievements included his 1951 Chevy pick up from his father-in-law and his wife's 1972 FMC Jimmy (she bought at the age 19). This last summer of 2025 he worked round the clock with R & R Auto to see that the truck was finished before leaving for their Port Charlotte home in Florida. He drove it home the day they left. He loved motorcycle trips and later purchased a Slingshot so he and his wife could ride side by side.

Chris was never a "sitter". He loved taking Thelma, their Terrier and daily walks around the food plot just to watch and laugh as she flushed out deer, pheasants, and mice. He loved watching football, NASCAR, Food Channels, Old Westerners, and Comedies. His favorite being Caddy Shack. Gardening and making salsa became his summer project.

Chris and Carolyn loved to travel, going on eight cruises, their favorite being the Panama Canal with South & Central America. They went on many trips with the Napa Gang. Their three favorites being Hawaii, Mexico, and Hollywood FL.

His last favorite pastime was swimming in their pool in Florida and listening to "Old Rock". He was diagnosed at Christmas.

Chris was always known to be a good, generous, and helpful man who brought a lot of joy into this world through his humor, compassion, good nature, and music. He will be greatly missed by many.

Chris is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carolyn Huber of Jerico, IA; one sister, Kathleen (Kent) Loonan of Hudson, IA; one brother Tom Huber of New Hampton IA; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Jeanne Huber, and brother, Kenny Huber.

In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to the family.