Harold Sissel

Harold Junior Sissel, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, August 12, 2010. He was born June 19, 1941 in Putnam County, Missouri and lived there until he was seven. He moved to Nampa, Idaho and lived on the farm with his parents and grandparents.             Harold loved growing up in Idaho where he would attend the Snake River Stampede and other rodeos that came to town. Harold especially loved Idaho because his beloved Uncle Harold, whom he was named for, lived there. They created an everlasting bond and memories that always made him smile.        In his junior year of High School he moved to Ottumwa, Iowa and graduated with the class of 1959. Immediately following that he entered the Marine Corp and served one tour during the Vietnam War. Though he rarely spoke of those days, the pride in his eyes when he spoke of the men that he served with was undeniable.    When he was honorably discharged from the military, Harold began working for Hy-Vee in Ottumwa. In 1966 he found his career with Fareway Stores Inc. He worked in several locations including Ottumwa, LeMars, Mason City and Marshalltown. He took great pride in his work and had the strongest work ethic you would find. He also earned the respect of his co-workers. He enjoyed all of his customers, employees and co-workers. You could always find him carrying out a customer's groceries but he loved working in produce and building displays on the first aisle.    In 1989 Harold married the love of his life Ann Langr and became the proud father of twin girls.    In 2004 Harold retired from Fareway for all of 20 days and went right back to work for Kraft Foods part-time. In 2005, after losing his uncle, Harold and Ann saw a lifelong dream become reality: they bought a lake home on Reed's Lake in Minnesota and aptly named it Uncle Harold's Cabin. He enjoyed his own private lake during the week.    His greatest joy came in 2008 when he became a "Papa" and again in 2010. He loved to sit on the porch of the cabin and listen to the birds with Sophie or hold Lillie as the sun set. But if being a grandpa brought him such joy, his proudest accomplishment was his twin daughters Stephanie and Sarah. A father's love was never so evident as when he was with them.    Harold lived by the Marine motto Semper Fi which means always faithful and he was; to his wife, his children and his family... to his multitude of friends whom he would have done anything for without question.    Harold's passions, besides being with his family, were numerous. He loved to snowmobile with his Uncle Harold, go hunting and fishing with anyone that asked especially in Canada and cruise around the lake on his Pontoon. He was a strong supporter of Ducks Unlimited, loved his Football Club, playing Liars Poker and cheering for the Green Bay Packers and Hawkeyes. He was famous for his chili and fish fry and always greeted visitors with a wide smile. He was a proud member of American Legion Post #311 and of St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Elysian, MN.    Mostly he loved to vacation with his daughters and wife in Aruba. There was nothing like a five o'clock screwdriver on the beach with the ones that he loved most.    Harold was preceded in death by his beloved uncle Harold Sissel, aunt Kaye Sissel and father John. He is survived by his wife Ann whom he loved beyond measure; his twin daughters Stephanie Sissel of West Des Moines, IA and Sarah (Clarence) Richardson III also of Des Moines, IA; his mother Ola Fairl of Ottumwa, IA, two brothers, a sister and their families. His in-laws Don and Clare Langr of Mason City, IA, brothers-in-law Carl (Lorna) Langr, Michael (Maria) Langr and sister-in-law Catherine (Rodney) Sparks; nieces and nephews, Sydney Langr, Jakob Langr and Caitlin Sparks and his beloved granddaughters Sophie Ann and Lillie Clare Richardson.    Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 15th from 5-8 pm at McRaith Funeral Home, 711 State St. North, Waseca, MN (507-835-2870) and will continue on Monday morning for one hour prior to services at church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday August 16th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, MN at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Robert Schneider Celebrant.    Memorials can be made to: your local Ducks Unlimited chapter or the American Legion Post #311 or donor's choice.