Harlan D. Kannegieter

Harlan D. Kannegieter, 86, of Gillette, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 6, 2026.

Harlan was born May 18, 1940, in Sibley, Iowa, to Henry J. and Gertrude (Bus) Kannegieter. He was raised on a farm, first in Minnesota and then on a farm southwest of Little Rock, Iowa, attending country schools through the eighth grade before continuing his education at Little Rock High School. He later earned his GED, certified by the State of Iowa, while serving in the Army.

Harlan joined the United States Army in January 1961 and was honorably discharged in January 1964, after which he returned home to farm the family land.

On April 17, 1965, Harlan married Twyla M. Thiesse at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, beginning 61 wonderful years together. The couple made their first home in George, Iowa, where Harlan worked for Lyon County on the Road and Bridge crew. They welcomed two sons, Byron and Travis, before Harlan's work took the family west to Battle Mountain, Nevada, where he worked as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic for Duval Copper.

Wanting to be closer to home, Harlan then took a position with Wyoming Machinery Company as a Caterpillar Heavy Equipment Mechanic, working his way up to Shop Boss. He later joined Arch Mineral Coal Mine in Hanna, Wyoming, as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic, and the family settled in Rawlins, Wyoming, where both sons graduated from high school. During their years in the Rawlins area, Harlan bought a boat and discovered a lasting love of boating and fishing at Seminoe and, later, Flaming Gorge Reservoirs.

When Arch Mineral closed its mines in Hanna, Harlan took a job with the Union 76 Oil Shale Project near Parachute, Colorado, working as a heavy equipment mechanic in an underground mine — work he found challenging. He was grateful when Wyoming Machinery invited him back as a Field Service Heavy Equipment Mechanic in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he remained for ten years before transferring to Gillette, Wyoming. Harlan retired from Wyoming Machinery in 2005, and he and Twyla stayed on in Gillette, calling it home for the past 32 years.

Born and raised Presbyterian, Harlan was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church of Gillette, where he served as an ordained Deacon. He was also a member of American Legion Post #42 in Gillette.

Harlan is survived by his wife, Twyla, of Gillette, Wyoming; sons Byron (Wendy) Kannegieter and Travis (Tammy) Kannegieter, both of Rock Springs, Wyoming; five grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by sisters Sandra (Larry) Ericcson of Norwalk, Iowa, and Janie (Loren) Jacobsma of Sibley, Iowa; sisters-in-law Carol Groen of Little Rock, Iowa, and Mary (Jerry Atkinson) Thiesse of Glorieta, New Mexico; brother-in-law Ronald (Connie) Thiesse of Yankton, South Dakota; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; his aunt, Joanne Thiesse of Sibley, Iowa; and special friend Linda Schuett of Sheldon, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, an aunt and uncles, cousins, nephew Allynn Jacobsma, brother-in-law David L. Groen, and friend Merle Schuett.

A memorial service for Harlan will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Gillette, Wyoming, with Pastor Tom Reynolds officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in Little Rock, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers or a charity of your choice, and may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be shared at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.

The family wishes to thank all their family and friends for their words of comfort, prayers, and food during this difficult time.