Harlan David Baustian, 89, of North Platte, NE, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2014, at Centennial Park Retirement Village.

Harlan was born May 5, 1925, to Lester and Mary Schwartz Baustian at Grinnell, IA. Home was the family farm three miles east of Grinnell on U.S. Highway 6. Harlan attended a one-room rural school close to Grinnell. He finished eight years of school in seven, skipping the 7th grade then graduated from Grinnell High School in 1942.

Harlan's brother, Gerald, served in the U.S. Air Force, thus leaving Harlan to help his folks with the farm work. In 1950 the Korean War took Harlan to serve two years in the U.S. Army, 18 months of which he was stationed in Seoul, Korea. Following his discharge, Harlan returned to Iowa and continued farming.

In 1947 Harlan met Arlet Corrine Skaar and their romance continued until Harlan returned from the service. They were married on December 31, 1952, at Primghar, IA. Harlan continued with his farming operation until he enrolled at Drake University in Des Moines, IA in 1955. While Harlan was in school, Arlet returned to teaching to help carry the financial load which was a tremendous help to the couple. Harlan graduated with a BS Degree in Business Administration in June 1958. His first job was in Minneapolis, MN with Munsingwear Inc., he then went to work for the Heath Candy Company which suited his sweet tooth!

Harlan and Arlet wished to start a family; to avoid waiting any longer, they applied for adoption with Lutheran Family Services. After waiting for what seemed like forever, they were blessed with David in 1959. After reapplying, Paul joined the family in 1960, followed by Melia in 1962; now the Baustians were a complete and wonderful family.

The family later moved to Robinson, IL then to Lincoln, NE where Harlan worked for The House of Bauer (a chocolate company). They purchased the Coast to Coast Store in Aurora, NE in 1974 and sold it in 1977 before buying Coast to Coast in North Platte which they operated until 1987. Harlan then worked some part-time jobs before going to work at Walmart. This part-time job became full time and he was there nearly 18 years before finally retiring.

Harlan was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, P.R. Halligan Post #163 American Legion and a life member of B.P.O. Elks #985.

After nearly 57 years of marriage, Arlet passed away in 2009. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jacinda Sue Baustian; his parents, Lester and Mary; and his brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Rita Baustian.

Survivors include his daughter, Melia Baustian, of North Platte; sons, David (Susan) Baustian, of Omaha, NE and Paul Baustian, of Norfolk, NE; four grandchildren, Jeremy (Ashley) Baustian, of St. Louis, MO, Benjamin Baustian, of Omaha, NE, and Chad (Britni) Walz and Adam Walz, all of North Platte; four great-grandchildren, Turner and Cameron Baustian and Kole and Kyler Walz; a brother-in-law, Donald (Elaine) Skaar, of North Oak, MN; his special friends, Judy Rossetter, Buzz Goedert and Sherry Rhombach; and many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2014, at Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Tim Eighmy officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.