- Harold R. Van Haren, age 90, of Hilbert, died on Friday, May 3, 2013 at Century Ridge in Chilton.
On March 19, 1923, Edward and Lillian Van Haren of Samson, WI welcomed their second son into the world in the middle of a raging blizzard. While they christened him Harold Robert, everyone knew him as "Stub", a nickname he claimed to not know the origin of.
He served in the US Navy as a gunner aboard Liberty ships in the South Pacific and was in the Battle of Tinian in the Marianna Islands during World War II. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Stub settled in Hilbert, working as a mechanic for his father's business, Van Haren Implement.
It was in Hilbert that Stub met his future wife, Lucille Fochs. Her brother-in-law bet Stub that Lucy would not go out with him on a blind date. Stub won the bet. On their third date, Stub proposed, Lucy accepted and they were married on September 25, 1948.
Together they had six children whom they loved and who loved them back: Linda (Carl) Holzschuh, Ed (Heather), Marsha (John) Dingeldein, Matt (Lisa), Scott, and Jenna (Marty) Geiser. Stub and Lucy were married to each other until her death in 1987.
Together, they farmed until their retirement. Stub was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Kupsch-Brockman American Legion Post 127.
He loved to travel and made friends easily wherever he went. He was always up for adventure and people will remember him for his great sense of humor.
Stub was preceded in death by his parents: Edward & Lillian; his son: Joseph; sister: Evelyn Chivers; brother: Larry; and a step-sister: Dorothy Seidl.
He is survived by his children; 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; as well as his sisters: Florence Simons and Frances Andreozzi.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton. Burial will follow in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Hilbert. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Saturday May 11, 2013.
Memorials are appreciated in the name of Harold R. Van Haren for the Old Glory Honor Flight or the Badger Honor Flight.
The family would like to thank Karen Doerr and the Calumet County Hospice, and the staff of Century Ridge, Building 1, for their compassion & support during this stressful time, especially Amanda, Becky & Sierra.
Online Condolences wietingfuneralhome.com
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on May 9, 2013
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1923 - 2013 (90 years)
Military Service
