Harold Herbert Patrick, son of Rodger Everett and Hazel (Whitcher) Patrick, was born July 7, 1924, near West Union, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa. Harold attended country schools in the West Union and Donnan areas.
On January 31, 1943, Harold was united in marriage to Thelma L. Ruroden at the home of Edmund and Bena Lauer in West Union by Rev. G.W. Ukena. Four children, Sharron, Larry, Rosalita and Dean were born to this union.
Following serving his country in World War II, Harold worked as a mechanic at John Falb and Sons Garage in Elgin, Iowa, was a truck driver for Darling Rendering Co. in Alpha, and owned and operated the Skyline Café in Hawkeye with his wife, Thelma for several years. After selling the café in 1971, he went to work driving truck for Paul Niemann Construction in Sumner until his retirement in 1987. Following retirement he continued to work part time for Niemann’s and Stepp’s Melons.
Harold was a member Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye, Arnold-Rogers Post #312, American Legion of Hawkeye, the Elgin and Hawkeye Fire Departments, was a charter member of the Hawkeye Lions Club, and served several years on the Hawkeye City Council.
Harold died of natural causes on Saturday, September 5, 2009, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner at the age of 85 years.
Harold is survived by two daughters, Sharron Erickson of Hawkeye; and Rosalita (Allan) Berns of Winthrop, Iowa; two sons, Larry (Kathi) Patrick of Shell Rock, Iowa; and Dean (LaVonne “Bonnie”) Patrick of West Union, Iowa; fifteen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; four brothers, Earl of Elkader, John of Missouri, Donald of Hawkeye, and Lloyd of Oelwein; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma in 2007; his parents; two brothers, Carl and Melvin, two sisters, Ida Vernice Northrop and Eileen in infancy; a son-in-law, Robert Erickson; and a great granddaughter, Bobbi Lynn Erickson.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 10, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawkeye with Rev. William Horn officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye and for one preceding services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at Hawkeye Cemetery in Hawkeye.
