Hecht, Harold N. 1928-2009

HECHT, WILTGEN, ALFEREZ

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2009 at 13:38:55

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, February 12, 2009

Harold N. Hecht, 80, of Remsen, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Harold N. Hecht was born April 9, 1928, at Sioux City, the son of Theodore and Mary (Wiltgen) Hecht. Harold lived in rural Kingsley, until the age of 10, when he moved with his family to rural Merrill. He received his education in the rural school system and St. Joseph Catholic School in Le Mars. He was then engaged in farming near Merrill.

On Feb. 21, 1952, he entered the U.S. Marines, where he was an airplane electrician and served state side until being honorably discharged Feb. 20, 1954.

On Oct. 20, 1976 he married Grace Alferez in the Philippines. They made their home near Merrill where they were engaged in farming. In 2001 he retired and they moved into Remsen.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen, and Olsen -- Halweg American Legion Post 125 of Merrill.

Survivors include his wife, Grace of Remsen; two daughters, Dorothy and her husband Chad Vandelune of Des Moines, and Kristen Hecht, in the U.S. Navy stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; a son, Nick of Sioux City; three cousins, Lawrence and his wife Erma Hecht and Ralph and his wife Karen Hecht, all of Merrill, and Colette and her husband Skip Hughes of Milford; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Price Vandelune.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen. The Rev. William McCarthy will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery -- Ellendale, rural Merrill, with graveside military services conducted by Olsen -- Halweg American Legion Post 125. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday. There will be a parish rosary at 3 p.m., and a vigil prayer service at 7:30 p.m., all at Fisch Funeral Home in Remsen.

Casket Bearers will be Nick Hecht, Chad Vandelune, Evan Hecht, Ralph Hecht, Ethan Hecht and John Hecht.