Obituary of Karl W. Ebert

Karl W. Ebert, age 63 lifelong resident of this area, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024, following complications from open heart surgery.

Interment with graveside services will be held Saturday, August 24^th. @ 2pm at the Unity Cemetery in rural Johnson County.  There will be a tractor processional from the family homestead (3357 Rohret Road SW, Iowa City) to the cemetery congregating at 1:30pm.  Following the graveside services, A celebration of Karl’s life will be held back at the family homestead with a potluck and many Karl stories shared!  Dress comfortably (shorts & tea shirts absolutely ok)  , bring your lawn chair and a dish to share and please join us to remember this special man to many.

Karl was born June 30, 1961 in Iowa City to Marion F and Helen I Sublett Ebert. He attended IC schools and was active in Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Later he studied at Kirkwood College and UNI, graduating in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts Education. He taught adult education  courses through Kirkwood College. It was there that he met Jeannie, the love of his life!

Karl was a skilled mechanic and “fix it guy” who could make any old hunk of metal come to life! He could be found at all hours in his shop working on a mechanical puzzle or fixing and fabricating all sorts of machines. He never left a job undone, and was never one to put off til tomorrow what could have been done last week.  Karl was known to be a little inpatient especially when driving and his go to comment was “I’m the only SOB in Iowa City who knows how to drive!”.  The night before his surgery he decided that the oil in his Durango absolutely needed changing right then and could not wait until he recovered. No one but him could do it correctly and to his specifications!  So….. with oxygen in one hand and a wrench in the other he got it done!

There was that amazing ability for him to remember people, dates, and events. Karl told the best jokes and gave the best bear hugs! He was a gregarious guy who would do anything for you. A favorite activity was to take visitors on historic driving tours of IC to see Moffitt Houses and Hitching posts. He was active in his church, his community, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and found time to work full time, most recently at Pyramids in Iowa City.

Hobbies included restoring antique tractors and tinkering in his shop. He was fascinated by steam engine trains and attended Midwest Old Threshers Reunion annually without fail.  Recently he designed and built a tabletop miniature model of his uncles farm near Diagonal Iowa completely from memory and a few photos, as the farm as he knew it no longer exists. Writing short stories was another hobby of his and included articles on Ageless Iron among others.

Karl is survived by brother, Mark Ebert (Jean Couch); sister, Dr Mary Eber;, nephew, Adam Ebert; niece, Rebecca Ebert (Dave Talbert); 3 stepsons, Matt Harapat (Sonya), Tim Harapat, and Chris Harapat (Paula); 9 grandchildren, 2 and one on the way great grandchildren; aunt, Marjorie Sublett; numerous cousins, a special friend, Bonnie Moses; a host of friends, his dogs, Ben (collie) and Poppy (miniature  Aussie ).

He was preceded by his parents, wife, Jeannie and numerous collies and cats.

Karls final gifts were to be an organ donor, and to bequeath part of his estate to pet rescue.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Coralville Methodist Church or to the pet rescue of your choice.