Harold Edward BRIGHAM

BRIGHAM, ANDERSON, TRAGER, LINDGREN, SCHOORMAN, VANRAVENHORST, SKOGLUND, KELLY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/6/2010 at 17:53:56

Harold E. Brigham — Spencer, Iowa

SPENCER, Iowa — Harold Edward Brigham, the son of Henry A. and Minnie Anderson Brigham, was born on April 15, 1920, in Spencer, Iowa. He received his early education and graduated from the Milford High School in Milford, Iowa. He then attended and graduated from the Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa, where he also taught classes. He entered the Army in 1942 and was discharged as a staff sergeant in 1945 following service in the Pacific Theater. He married Theresa Jean Trager on December 16, 1945, and was employed as an accountant at CD Farm Service in Spencer, where they raised five children. The family moved to Britt, Iowa, then Belmond, Iowa, and eventually Hayfield, Minnesota, in pursuit of a career as a professional florist and accountant. He retired from the Farmers Cooperative in Sargeant, Minnesota, in 1983. Theresa died in October of 1982 after thirty-six years of marriage.

On April 2, 1988, Harold married Marie C. Lindgren at the Spencer First Christian Church. For twelve years they made their home on the Lindgren Farm at Marathon, Iowa. Marie died January 8, 2000. Harold continued to live on the farm for ten years, when he moved into a Spencer apartment where he lived until his death. Harold possessed a strong Christian faith, which he put into practice with much care and concern for his family and many friends using his dual talents as a musician with a green thumb. Harold was known for his solo singing and piano playing. He was always in demand as a soloist for weddings, funerals, church services and many special occasions. Harold's perpetual green thumb led to nursing many beautiful flower gardens, and he cheered up many friends with countless bouquets from those flower gardens. Harold was guided throughout his life by his profound love for the Lord. His Christian love nurtured the lives of his children and step-children and enriched all those whose lives he touched. With his marriage to Marie, Harold took over the basement of the farmhouse with his rug weaving hobby. His many hours at the loom led to his gift of a rug for special occasions to each family member and many friends.

Harold passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010, in his home of natural causes. Harold recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Minnie; his sister, Helen (Schoorman); a brother, Arthur Brigham; two nephews, Roger and Vernon Schoorman; his two wives; and a step-son and his wife, Robert and Marsha Lindgren. Survivors include daughter Diane (Jim) VanRavenhorst, son Frank (Virginia) Brigham, daughter Deborah Skoglund, son Derwin (Audrey) Brigham, son Arlin (Marsha) Brigham, step-son Jon (Trudy) Lindgren, step-daughter Marla (Robert) Kelly and step-daughter Valerie. Further survivors include 42 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 21 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 7, at the First Christian Church in Spencer. Interment will be in North Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Spencer. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer. Memorials may be sent to the "Plant It And They Will Come" Beautification Project at First Christian Church, 701 E. 18th St., Spencer, IA 51301. Arrangements by Warner Funeral Home, Spencer.

Post Bulletin, Rochester, MN
5 May 2010