Harpenau, William J. 1940-2004

HARPENAU, LANGEL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/11/2008 at 15:09:04

REMSEN, Iowa -- William J. "Billy Joe" Harpenau, 63, of Remsen died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen, with the Rev. Timothy Johnson officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Tuesday, with a parish rosary at 3 p.m., a vigil prayer service at 7:30 p.m., and a rosary by the Catholic Order of Foresters at 8 p.m., at Fisch Funeral Home in Remsen.

William Harpenau was born Sept. 1, 1940, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of John and Philomena (Langel) Harpenau. Bill was raised in the Remsen area and received his education at St. Mary's Catholic School, from which he graduated in 1958. After graduation, he entered the Iowa National Guard. He then started farming with his father near Remsen and continued living there all his life. In October of 1964, he went into partnership in farming with his brother, Ray.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Catholic Order of Foresters, both of Remsen. Bill enjoyed farming, watching his nieces and nephews play in their sports activities, playing cards and fishing with family and friends. He loved all his time spent with family and friends.

Survivors include four brothers, Robert "Bob" of Le Mars, Don and his wife, Ione, of Diamond Bar, Calif., Ray and his wife, Shirley, of Remsen and Tom and his wife, Sharon, of Alton, Iowa; four sisters, Doris Bergner of Bend, Ore., Vernell and her husband, Jerry Chapman, of Le Mars, Marge and her husband, Rich Frericks, and Helen and her husband, Paul Galles, all of Remsen; a sister-in-law, Marlene Harpenau of Le Mars; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, LeRoy; a sister, Bernadine, at birth; a brother-in-law, Chat Bergner; and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Harpenau.

Pallbearers will be Mike Chapman, Fred and Rick Frericks, Bart Galles, Brian, Frank, Jeff and Monte Harpenau. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Galles, Pat Hughes, Don Keffeler, Marv Meis, Larry Ruden, Jerry Treinen and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Aug. 15, 2004--part of the D. Easton Obituary Collection