HAVEL, Colten William & son Sawyer Joseph 09 Jul 2026

HAVEL, KYLE, DENNY, KYLE, LOUVAR, JENSEN, DESERANO, KYLE-NEEDS, KROEGER, KYLE-CREESE, NEEDS, WENTH, ALLARD, SCHARLAU, CREESE, BERNER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 7/15/2026 at 13:43:39

Colten and his son Sawyer Havel died together in a tragic car accident on Thursday, July 9, 2026, north of Amana, Iowa.

Services celebrating their lives are as follows: visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 4 to 7 pm and a celebration of life service at 10 am Friday, July 17th, both will be held at Veritas Church in Tiffin. The family would love it if you would wear your favorite sports attire to Friday’s celebration of life service.

Memorial donations can be made in their honor to Safe Haven Animal Shelter of Iowa County or to the family directly to be used for the creation of a little library (memorials for a little library can be send to Debra Kyle-Havel through Venmo @Debra-Kyle-Havel) and bench in their memory in Solon, Iowa.

Colten William Havel was born June 13, 1993, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Richard William and Debra Jean (Kyle) Havel. Colten was raised in Solon with his sister Carly, and he graduated from Solon High School with the Class of 2011. After high school, Colten attended Kirkwood Community College and then completed his electrical apprenticeship. Colten worked for Elite Home Audio and found one of his passions in his career.

Colten was a loving son, big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and his most beloved title, father. Colten was a sweet, hardworking man. He had the best dry sense of humor, but you knew he loved you through that humor! He was a lifelong learner, very loyal to his family and friends but was also very independent. His family always admired his compassion toward people, and he extended his kindness toward all. His parents instilled this in him from the beginning, which in turn, he modeled this behavior for his son, Sawyer.

Colten was a huge lover of animals, especially dogs and cats. He actively cheered for the Kansas City Chiefs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark and tolerated the Iowa State Cyclones for his family - he loved that we are a family divided. This is where we saw his compassion come out!

Colten and his sister, Carly, always counted on each other and knew how to help and support each other without even having to say anything. As a big brother he was always there to help her no matter what she needed. One of the best gifts Colten gave Carly was her nephew, Sawyer.

Nothing was more important to Colten or brought him more joy than his son, Sawyer. Colten loved spending time with Sawyer, especially playing video games, teaching him how to build computers, working around their new house, attending family gatherings, fishing, playing baseball, building LEGOs, and playing with their many animals (Zelda, Link, Mocha, Macy, Rufus, Robbie, all the chickens especially Sawyer’s favorite hen, Paul).They were both strong in their faith, and extremely talented artists. Their family enjoyed getting to see all the art they created.

Sawyer Joseph Havel, the son of Colten William Havel and Kaitlyn A. Denny, was born on March 19, 2012, in Iowa City. Sawyer was taken too soon at the age of 14, but he made a lasting impact on everyone who was lucky enough to know him. He was gentle and kind, but a fierce protector of his family whom he loved more than anything in the world. Sawyer was a lover of all animals, and his pets were his pride and joy, especially his cat Robbie Lou.

Sawyer was incredibly funny with a quick wit, and he never missed an opportunity to roast the ones he loved. Joking aside, Sawyer loved spending time with his family and always took a genuine interest in the things others were passionate about and found joy in enjoying those passions together.

Sawyer had just finished the 8th grade and was looking forward to his freshman year at Clear Creek Amana High School. Like his father, Sawyer was hardworking, driven, and incredibly intelligent. Even though he was young, he had planned to graduate from high school early so he could pursue his dream of becoming an aerospace engineer. In Sawyer’s free time, he enjoyed playing video games and baseball, building LEGOs, collecting Funko POPs which were shared with the entire family, and spending time with his cousins and Uncle Matt (especially watching Big Brother together). He loved watching movies with his aunt Carly and playing Discord games. Every week, Sawyer and his Nana spent quality time together making baked goods, visiting little libraries around town, and recently learning how to drive. Sawyer and his dad shared their love of the Kansas City Chiefs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Caitlin Clark.

Sawyer's faith was an important part of his life. He read the Bible in its entirety at a remarkably young age, carefully highlighting passages that held special meaning and spoke to his heart. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When you looked into Sawyer's beautiful blue eyes, you saw the best of the universe looking back at you. Even on the darkest days, he brought the light into your world – just by being unapologetically himself. Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how Sawyer’s mom and dad felt about him. He was their entire world. Colten and Sawyer were organ donors, and in their passing, each gave the gift of life to others. Although the simultaneous loss of both Sawyer and Colten is tragic, the families take solace in the fact that Sawyer will never be alone and will always have his best friend by his side.

Those left to cherish the memories of our sweet boys:

Parents of Colten and Grandparents of Sawyer: Richard and Debra Havel

Sawyer’s Mother: Kate Denny (Dalton) Colten’s Sister and Sawyer’s Aunt, Carly Havel (Logan) Colten’s Grandmother and Sawyer’s Great Grandmother: Judith Kyle Sawyer’s Grandmother: Wendy Denny (Derek) Sawyer’s Grandfather: John Denny Jr. Sawyer’s Great-Grandparents: Barb Denny and Larry Favourite; Beth and Don Louvar; John Denny Sr.

Havel Family

Uncles: Stanley Havel and Jeff Havel (Joan) Aunt: Janet Havel Cousins: James Havel, Craig Havel, Crystal Havel (Shawn), Holly Jensen (Cole and child Adalynn), Tristan Deserano and Maria Havel

Kyle Family

Uncles: Paul Kyle (Kathy), Dan Kyle (Heather) Aunts: Denise Kyle-Needs, Diane Kroeger (Shad), Colleen Kyle-Creese Cousins: Chris Kyle (Christina and children Joseph, Sophia), Jason Kyle (Jessica - and children Jonah, Roch, Elizabeth, Zeke), Steffanie Kyle (Trent and child Weston), Nathan Needs (Hannah and children Alex, Sam, Gwen), Erin Wenthe (Adam), Alex Kroeger (Tallia), Zachary Kroeger, Alyssa Allard (Eric), Austin Scharlau (Kaycee), Katelyn Scharlau, Kyle Creese, Haas Kyle, Finn Kyle, Duff Kyle

Denny Family

Uncles: Jay Denny (Rachel and children Flynn, Ellis); Matthew Denny Aunts: Karissa Berner (Josh and children Ari, Halle, and Millie); Kylie Denny (Nolan) Cousins: Hailey Denny (Luke) Pets: Robbie Lou (cat); Paul (chicken); Link Daniel Brown and Zelda Marie (dogs; preceded in death) Numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and pets.

Colten and Sawyer were preceded in death by their aunt Barbra Havel and grandparents Delbert and Carol Havel.

Published on Gay & Ciha Funeral Home website. An abbreviated version was published in The Gazette on July 15, 2026.