Harold Hegerle
October 6, 1920 ~ October 4, 2010
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Harold Hegerle, 89, of Gettysburg, passed away, Monday, October 4, 2010 at the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 9, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, with Father Jerry Kopel officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 8, 2010 at the church with a 7:00 p.m. scripture wake service.
Harold Henry Hegerle was born October 6, 1920 to Ignatius and Emma (Klock) Hegerle in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota. The family moved to California when he was 15 years old. He graduated from Point Loma High School in Ocean Beach. Harold joined the US Navy in January 1942 after the invasion of Pearl Harbor and proudly served until February 1946. After honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended California Polytechnic University, earning a degree in Animal Husbandry.
Harold married Eileen Herron on August 7, 1950 in Gettysburg. They farmed, ranched and raised their family on the COD Ranch in the northwest corner of Potter County. He taught the Veterans Agriculture training course in Hoven for several years. He was a director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and a member of the ASC committee. Harold was a devout member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, taught CCD classes and was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a lifetime member and past commander of American Legion Post #135. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW. Harold proudly served on the military color guard for more than 30 years. He served as director and president of the Gettysburg Senior Center and was also president of the Gettysburg Country Club.
Harold (Red) enjoyed sports and was an avid baseball player, golfer and bowler. In their spare time, Harold and Eileen could often be found dancing and socializing with their many friends. Harold and Eileen traveled extensively. They visited their AFS student Jose’ in Argentina. They also traveled to Portugal, Ecuador, Alaska, and Hawaii. They took numerous bus trips to all corners of the US and spent parts of several winters in Arizona and San Diego.
Harold is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eileen; children Kelly (Ginger), Vietnam, Kevin (Elaine), Parker, CO, Holly (Bill) Wright, Gettysburg, Mary Ann (Dave) Hempel, Webster; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brother: Donald of Escondido, CA; sister-in-law: Lucille Ellenbecker, Gettysburg; brother-in-law: Bob LeNeve, San Diego, CA;, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, three brothers and stepson, Billy.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Harold’s arrangements.
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Eileen & family,
Our deepest sympathies are with you at this time. We will always remember Harold’s kind heart and smile. May the good memories bring you some comfort.
Love
Mike, Gwen & girls
Eileen and families:
What a dear, dear person!! Hang on to those special memories. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless!!
My deepest sympathy & prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. May God give him eternal rest. Harold(Red) was a kind man, everybody liked him. May God Bless him for his goodness. Remembering all of you in Prayer. Alice Simon
Thinking of you all and praying that you will find comfort in happy memories of Harold.
Eileen and family
we would like to send you are deepest sympathy and know that we are praying for you .may God give you grace at this sad time. Harold will be greatly missed. Love and prayers Jeff & Jeanelle sautner schaefer
Eileen and family: Was saddened to hear about Harold. We have such great memories of our trips and golfing tourneys out in Mesa. All the gatherings at the pool and what great stories (and big fibs about who putted the best). Our love and hugs, and prayers. Estelle and Jack
Our sympathy to you all. Harold was such a kind, gentle man. We will miss him.
Eileen & Family,
Our sincerest sympathies and deepest condolences. Red, with that easy, crinkly-eyed smile, never had to raise his voice to make a point. I can still hear it. My family was privileged and fortunate to count him as a friend. The grand times we had at the ranch, the picnics, dinners and nights we stayed over after Community Club are permanently and warmly etched in our past. He was the rarest of men.
Dan, Margarita, Veronica & Elizabeth Novak
Dear Eileen and family: It was very sad to hear about Harold. God bless him. My prayers and the best memories of those good old times together to help you in this sorrowful moment. José and family.
Dear Eileen and family.
I was saddened to hear of Red’s passing. I always remember what a gentle and sweet man he was. Whenever I would see him, he always had a hug and a smile. I have great memories of him from spending time at your farm: phesant hunting, sledding, ice skating and watching all the grownups play cards and from community club. He will be missed by many.
I just wanted to send my deepest sympathies on the passing of Harold. It seems like I just about always ran into him every time I got back home.
Dear Eileen and Family, I remember Harold bringing the kids to the theater to the movies. He was always such a gentle loving man. I also remember how helpful and kind he was when Ted was killed and we had to make arrangements for the mass and burial. He will be remembered always because he touched so many of us. Love and Prayers, Lori Novak