SEVERSON, Harold Leroy 1925-2014

SEVERSON, ERICKSON, KNUPPE, THOMPSON, BROWN, WADDINGTON, DENNISON, KOUT, THIELEN, SOYK, WICKHAM, KNAPP

Posted By: Jan Warren
Date: 10/23/2014 at 19:12:37

Source: Martin Brothers Funeral Home

Harold L. Severson, 89, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, October 17, 2014, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 20th, at 1:00 PM at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 12:00 to 1:00 pm Monday at the church.

Harold Leroy Severson was born August 19, 1925 in Woodford, WI, the son of Leroy and Laura (nee Erickson) Severson. At the age of 5 he moved with his family to the rural Waukon, IA, area. Harold was confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church. He attended rural elementary school and Waukon High School. After helping area farmers for a couple of years, he enlisted in the US Army and served in Korea. On March 3, 1951 Harold married Rita Irene Knuppe at the St. John’s Lutheran Church parsonage in Waukon. He worked for Donald Flage and Bob Collins for a time and in 1961 bought the rural Waukon farm he and Rita would work for almost 40 years. They operated a dairy herd and raised hogs, beef cattle, chickens, and grain. Harold was very mechanical and handy with his machinery and equipment on the farm.

Harold was a lifetime member and former trustee of Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church and a longtime member of the VFW post in Waukon. He spent much of his time out in the shop tinkering—a champion junk man! He enjoyed bowling, fishing, golf, and playing cards with his friends. He was an excellent marksman and liked going shooting and was an avid fan of western books, movies, and television shows. After retiring from farming Harold enjoyed traveling to Arizona for the winter.

Harold will be missed by Rita, his wife of 63 years, of Waukon; his step-daughter Helen Knuppe of Waukon; a sister Florence Thompson of Sun Prairie, WI; sisters-in-law Lucy Brown of West Bend, WI, Jean Severson of Hartford, WI, Louise Severson of Slinger, WI, Ruth Waddington of Cedar Rapids, IA, Dorothy (Lew) Dennison of Savannah, IL, Hazel (Joe) Kout of Hazelton, IA, and Janice Thielen of Dubuque, IA; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Lillian Soyk; brothers Lavern, Charles, and Roger; a sister-in-law Ruby (Knuppe) Wickham; and brothers-in-law Orville Soyk, Charles Thompson, Fred Knapp, Roy Knuppe, and Leo Wickham.

Honorary casketbearers are Gordon Gilbertson, Jack Marsden, Charles Bakke, Willis Johanningmeier, Cletus Rooney, Arden Hanson, and Gladwin Anderson. Harold’s nephews will serve as casketbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s research.