Wall, Harold David (1919-2014)

WALL, BUCKINGHAM, ZIELSTRA, KRAMER, HOTKA, SCHROLL

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/7/2014 at 18:59:32

Harold David Wall
November 28, 1919 - August 5, 2014

Harold D. Wall, age 94, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at the Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville, Iowa.

A son of Herbert G. and Cora (Buckingham) Wall, Harold was born on November 28, 1919, in the family home in Maple Valley Township, rural Alta, Iowa.

In 1927, when Harold was seven years old, the family moved into Storm Lake. Harold attended school in Storm Lake and graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1937. That same year the family bought and moved to a farm just west of Storm Lake and Harold worked on the farm with his parents until he was called to military service in 1942.

Harold served in the Army during World War II from February of 1942 through January of 1946. Stationed in the states for three years, lastly at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and in France and Germany for one year, he worked as a tractor and truck driver and as a “setter” on a Howitzer and M1-90mm gun crew. Returning to the States in January, 1946, he was honorably discharged after having attained the rank of T5 Corporal.

After the war, Harold returned to farming and bought his own farm close to his parents’ farm and one mile west of Storm Lake. He, then, took the short course in Animal Husbandry at Iowa State University. In January, 1947, after making a solo flight, he was issued a pilot's license to operate a single engine private airplane.

Harold met the love of his life, Ellen Mae Zielstra, in Storm Lake. She was working at the grain elevator at the time. They married on January 16, 1949, in Ellen’s parents’ home on the farm in rural Clay County near Dickens, Iowa. They lived in Storm Lake for one year before moving to their home farm in 1950 where they lived for the next forty-seven years. Harold retired from farming in 1987 but continued to live on the homestead.

Harold and Ellen liked to travel and spent their winters in Bradenton, Florida, in the 80s, and then during the 90s, they spent several winters in Pismo Beach, California. They enjoyed traveling and had visited all fifty states. Avid bridge players, they, also, liked playing contract bridge wherever they traveled. Indeed, they both achieved the status of Regional Master in duplicate bridge. A pretty good Hearts player as well, Harold could defeat his children and grandchildren in the game.

A Farmall tractor man, Harold enjoyed raising feeder cattle, and in 1953, he sold a lot of cattle that topped the market at the Sioux City stockyards. In 1956, he had a new home that he had designed built on the homestead. He felt good that he could provide a beautiful new home for his family. Harold, also, took an interest in the stock market, and for several years to the end of his life, he continued to manage his investments.

Ellen died on April 12, 1997. Harold said he was always thinking about Ellen, “the woman who supported me and stood beside me. She was my inspiration and my confidant. She encouraged me and always supported me. Without her I would not have been successful, for it was from Ellen that I received much of my drive and desire.... She is what I needed to be a whole person.”

Harold enjoyed the people in his life. He was especially proud that all four of his children had attended college. Their accomplishments were important to him. He was, also, proud of the improvements he had made to his farm.

Harold was a long time member of Farm Bureau, a member of the Storm Lake Kiwanis, and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Strom Lake. For a time, he and Ellen sang in the church choir.

Harold is survived by four his children: Kathleen E. (Wayne) Kramer, of Slaughter, Louisiana, Kenneth (Susan Totten) Wall, of Iowa City, Iowa, Russell G. (Susan) Wall, of Johnston, Iowa, and Brenda J. Wall, of Boone, Iowa; five grandchildren: Alexander Wall, of Ithaca, New York, Brianne (Jarian Sky) Wall, of Medford, Massachusetts, Abraham Wall, of Kissimmee, Florida, Patricia (Thom) Hotka, of Windsor Heights, Iowa, and Hannah (David Calaci) Wall, of Coralville, Iowa.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert G. and Cora Buckingham Wall; his sister, Olive Schroll; and his beloved wife, Ellen.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 11, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow at the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake with full military rites. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church of Storm Lake.

Copyright © 2014, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes

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