John “Johnny” Haraburda

John “Johnny” Haraburda, 60, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at his home, in Le Mars, Iowa.

John was born Jan. 25, 1963, in Chicago, Ill., to Dorothy Cynor and John J. Haraburda.

He lived with his parents in McHenry, Ill., and attended Big Hallow Grade School and graduated from Grant High School, in Fox Lake, Ill. John then went on to college and attended Purdue University, and graduated with a degree in business management.

John was employed by Marriott Hotels and Restaurants, in St. Louis, Mo., Houston, Texas, and Minneapolis, Minn. He later moved to Holcombe, and was employed by Paradise Shores Restaurant, as the food and beverage director, where he met and married Sara Long; they later divorced.

He then moved to Le Mars, Iowa, where he worked as chef at The Golden Pheasant Restaurant, in Remsem, Iowa, for many years. John purchased a home in Le Mars, Iowa, where he resided until he passed.

John was an avid Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks sports fan. He excelled in photography, and loved to take pictures of beautiful flowers and landscapes he visited.

He was self-taught at a young age and developed many of his own pictures. He was proud of his still-action pictures and made his brother throw many buckets of water into the air, until he captured the water, as it was released from the bucket into the air.

John was known to sit for hours outside in the cold, to capture the moon as it changed and he also captured Halley’s Comet. He was very artistic and loved to turn his photos into beautiful, framed art work.

He loved animals, especially his little Shih Tzu dogs. He would take joy in teaching his cockatiel bird to talk to him. He loved all the old Andy Griffith Shows and could tell you everything that happened on every episode. His favorite food was pizza and a lot of it!

John was a happy and joyful person, and will be missed by all!

He is survived by his mother – Dorothy; his brother – Cary (Valarie) Haraburda; nephews – Gary (Gina) Haraburda and Patrick Haraburda (Ashley); his aunts – Evelyn Lompa, Rose Roloff, Judy Hessler, Nancy Cynor and Judy (Randy) Haydel; uncles – Jack (Janice) Cynor and Joe (Peggy) Cynor; and numerous cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father – John J. Haraburda; his aunts and uncles – Ethel Cynor (godmother), George and Theresa Cynor, Wesley Roloff, Robert and Geraldine Cynor, Frank Lompa, Charles and Bernice Cynor, James Cynor, Frank Cynor and Ted Cynor; cousins – Frank Lompa Jr., Tony Cynor, Bill Cynor and Joe Cynor Jr.; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Services for John will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Cornell, with Father Eric Linzmaier officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., and go until the time of service, at the church.

A lunch will be served in the fellowship hall, after the service. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting any donations be made to any alcohol or substance abuse program of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at bortonleiserfuneralhome. com. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services, in Cornell, is assisting the family.