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Harold L. Severson, 89, of Waukon died Friday, October 17, 2014 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, October 20 at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial with military rites was at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon assisted the family with arrangements.
Harold Leroy Severson was born August 19, 1925 in Woodford, WI, the son of Leroy and Laura (nee Erickson) Severson. At the age of five he moved with his family to the rural Waukon area. Harold was confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church. He attended rural elementary school and Waukon High School. After helping area farmers for a couple of years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea.
March 3, 1951 Harold married Rita Irene Knuppe at the St. John’s Lutheran Church parsonage in Waukon. He worked for Donald Flage and Bob Collins for a time and in 1961 bought the rural Waukon farm he and Rita would work for almost 40 years. They operated a dairy herd and raised hogs, beef cattle, chickens and grain. Harold was very mechanical and handy with his machinery and equipment on the farm.
Harold was a lifetime member and former trustee of Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church and a longtime member of the VFW post in Waukon. He spent much of his time out in the shop tinkering - a champion junk man! He enjoyed bowling, fishing, golf and playing cards with his friends. He was an excellent marksman and liked going shooting and was an avid fan of western books, movies and television shows. After retiring from farming, Harold enjoyed traveling to Arizona for the winter.
Harold will be missed by Rita, his wife of 63 years, of Waukon; his step-daughter, Helen Knuppe of Waukon; a sister, Florence Thompson of Sun Prairie, WI; his sisters-in-law, Lucy Brown of West Bend, WI, Jean Severson of Hartford, WI, Louise Severson of Slinger, WI, Ruth Waddington of Cedar Rapids, Dorothy (Lew) Dennison of Savannah, IL, Hazel (Joe) Kout of Hazelton and Janice Thielen of Dubuque; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lillian Soyk; his brothers, Lavern, Charles and Roger; a sister-in-law, Ruby (Knuppe) Wickham; and his brothers-in-law, Orville Soyk, Charles Thompson, Fred Knapp, Roy Knuppe and Leo Wickham.
Honorary casketbearers were Gordon Gilbertson, Jack Marsden, Charles Bakke, Willis Johanningmeier, Cletus Rooney, Arden Hanson and Gladwin Anderson. Harold’s nephews served as casketbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s research. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.