Chester Harp

A Celebration of Chet’s Life will be held on Saturday at 1:00 PM on June 28, 2025, at the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Fort Dodge.

Chet was deeply involved in his faith. He was a member of Word of Life Chapel/Winds of Fire Church for many years and helped organize and lead singing for the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI). He and his wife, Patsy, enjoyed singing together at churches and nursing homes, sharing their love for gospel music. Chet was also a member of the gospel group “Lookin’ Up,” performing in various churches, and he led worship services for 20 years. Most recently, they were members of New Covenant Christian Church.

They also played in a band called “Ace and Friends” at town fairs and nursing homes.

If a friend stopped to visit, Chet could always be found in his garage, tinkering with old things to make them work again, or rebuilding cars. His grandkids were always in awe of his love for “Junk Days” and he was always finding the best treasures.

When grandkids visited, they always knew how important music and singing were to Grandpa Chet. He could always be found in the kitchen, tuning up one of his guitars and was quick to sing them a song.

In addition, he loved fishing and spent many summers at Spirit Lake.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy, and their four children: Daleen (Angelo) DelVescovo of Elmhurst, Illinois; Howard (Patty) Harp of Fort Dodge; Douglas (Sharon) Harp of Fort Dodge; and Jeffrey (Julie) Harp of Grimes.

Grandpa Chet is also survived by grandchildren, Daniel and David DelVescovo, Erika York, Monica Waddell, Nathan Harp, Jayson and Jared Harp, Jennifer Brown, Kaylee Harp and Nicholas Arancibia.

He also leaves behind several great grandchildren, Alexia, Marissa, Clint, Jake, Tate, Beau, Neela, Naomi and Brooks Waddell; Manford, Elliot and Owen York; Reece, Madilynn and Daeren Harp; Cameron and Maddox Brown, Carter Porter.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Harp, and his two brothers, Jim and Charles Harp, his sister Maribelle McHargue and grandson Josh Harp.