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Harold Frederick Kothenbeutel

1917 - 2008

Harold Kothenbeutel, of Sheffield, died on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. He was 91.

Funeral services were held at the Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, followed by burial with Veteran’s Honors in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. The Retz-Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield, was responsible for the arrangements.

Harold Frederick Kothenbeutel, was born the third child to Frederick William and Ada F. (Wenig) Kothenbeutel on October 23, 1917 near Kanawha. In 1936, he graduated from the Klemme High School.

Harold entered the U.S. Army in February 1941 and served in Europe, landing on Omaha Beach and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1945. Harold was united in marriage with Betty Jean Marth on April 5, 1941 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Following the war they returned to Klemme where Harold managed the Phillips 66 station. He also had his own electrical business doing television repair and plumbing and heating repair. In 1960 Harold and Betty moved to Sheffield where he worked at the hardware store and continued doing plumbing, heating and electrical work.

Harold was a member of the United Church of Christ in Klemme and the VFW, Moose Lodge, American Legion, DAV, Eagles, had served as the Scoutmaster in Klemme and was the Legion Commander and fire chief in Klemme. He enjoyed time spent in his garden and hunting and fishing, caning and traveling he also returned to Germany in 1993. He was a loving, caring father who was always there for whatever his children or grandchildren needed. He loved to dance, share a joke or two and had to be busy traveling or repairing something. He made many wooden gifts or his family and friends.

Harold will be greatly missed by his children, Gary L. Kothenbeutel of Forest City, Daryl F. Kothenbeutel of Clear Lake, Merlene K. Sullivan of Sheffield, Beverly J. (Don) Girardot of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Leland (Robin) Kothenbeutel of Bettendorf and Bruce (Pat) Kothenbeutel of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Emma Palmby of Garner and Gladys Barz of Garner; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty in 1982; and grandsons, Scott Sullivan and Dustin Colby.

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