"It is so very hard to believe that two years have gone by already and as the holidays come and go, I think of you! As we puddle past your Bass Camp dock, all the fun times on the Mississippi come flooding back in memory. You always made sure whoever was in your company had a good time. Your big smile and a caring hugs are all so dearly missed. Love & miss you uncle Harold :)"
In loving memory of
Harold Joseph Herber
November 22, 1927 - October 9, 2007
Rollingstone, MN
Harold J. Herber, 79, died Tuesday, October 9, 2007, at Winona Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, MN. Harold was born November 22, 1927, in Rollingstone, MN to Alvin and Margaret (Feil) Herber. After graduating from Holy Trinity School in Rollingstone in 1945, Harold served in the U. S. Army during the American occupation in Japan following WWII. Harold married Marlene Dorsch on June 2, 1951 in Winona, MN. Harold was a life long farmer in Rollingstone. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and its St. Nicholas Society. He was also a pilot and a member of the Civil Air Patrol and a member of the Elks Club in Goodview. Harold enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River with family and friends, snowmobiling, wintering in Florida, and gardening and is lovingly remembered for his ability to fix anything.
Survivors include his wife, Marlene; seven children, Mary (Ronald) Barber of Stewartville, MN, Jeanne (Greg) Erickson of Lewiston, MN, Karl (Beth) Herber of Rollingstone, Anthony Herber of Altura, MN, David (Denise) Herber of Winona, MN, Mark (Darline) Herber of Rollingstone, and Brent (Autumn) Herber of Winona, MN; 21 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; twin sister, Harriet Duffy of Winona, MN; and brother, Ralph (Dorothy) Herber of Rollingstone, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Joseph, brother, Prosper and two sisters, Maxine and Kathleen.
A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, October 13, 2007, at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Reverends Donald Lovas and James Hennessy co-officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Holy Trinity Church on Friday from 4-8:00pm where there will be a Christian Prayer Service at 7:30pm. Friends may also call one our prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion of Winona.
Please share a memory of Harold with the family, sign the online guestbook or view Harold's video tribute at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=12109
Tributes
"I have known Harold and his family all of my life. He was a great man and is in great company now in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow. Remembering the good times helps the days pass easier."
"What a great guy!!! What a smile! What a great story teller! So sorry you lost the battle, so glad to have been your friend. Our condolences, prayers and best wishes to Marlene and the extended family. Anyone want to bet the first thing he did when he hit the pearly gates? "Hey Pete, did you hear the one about.....""
"We remember, honor and celebrate the wonderful life of Harold today. He was a very special man who truly added life to his years and touched the hearts of everyone who crossed his life path. Thanks Harold for all the memories, the boat rides, the long talks, the hugs, and all that you were to all of us! Your memory will remain with us forever! Love to all the family whom you loved so dearly."
"Dear Herber family... I am so sorry, for your loss. I had lost my Grandma, just a week ago, and know, 1st hand, the pain and sorrow you are dealt with, at the moment. I can say, not knowing Harold, that he had raised a terrific son (Dave) What a nice, gentle, and loving man. Just by seeing what a great Dad,& step-dad, Dave is...you know he's learned from a trusted, loving source. Sounds like Harold had lived a magnificent life...memories, will keep you going. Time will heal your pain. May you all take care, during this hard time, and rest in the hands of God...He will pull you through."
"I grew up just down the road. Babysitter, friend, neighbor. My prayers are with you and your family."
"We are so sorry to hear that Harold lost his battle. We will think of him often, especially when we are at our weekend getaway at the river. Harold and Marlene enjoyed talking to everyone and making new friends. We will fondly remember all of Harold's jokes and stories around the campfires. He will be missed by all, but memories of this great man will last forever."
"I grewup with thekids of harolds andknow he will be missed by all who know him just rember the good times you all had god bless you all"
"It never ceases to amaze me how someone can come into your life for a short period of time and leave so many wonderful memories. Harold was one of those people. He was the consumate hard working professional farmer, yet always smiling. We were lucky enough to spend a week end with Harold and Marlene on their houseboat and had a great time. A story teller and prankster with a laugh and smile no one that knew him will ever forget. Harold touched the lives of many people. He was a man that most people will miss, yet think of often. Our Hearts, thoughts and Prayers go out to Marlene and their wonderful family."
"Brent always talked fondly of his father Harold. Anybody that can raise that many kids deserves to be remembered for his dedication as a father. I know he will be missed dearly by all."
"I grew up with Marlene in Winona and wish to express my sorrow at the loss of her husband. May she find peace in the knowledge others care. God bless the family."
"Harold, Happy boating! There has to be a river in heaven. Here's hoping that when we all get the big green light for a final upstream lockage that the Sandy Seven and the Lily Mar will cruise together again. Until then we will miss you. Gene and Barb"
"Marlene and family, So sorry to hear of Harold's passing. The wonderful memories are still with me and my family. So many times that we spent with you guys on the river, snowmobiling and the many social gatherings. Thank you for including us. We have such fond memories and still miss the laughter and good times we had with you guys. Dave and I were so fortunate that we came to know you guys when we did. Thank you for taking us under your wings! Gail, Cliff and family"
"I'll never forget the times when my dad would fly our family back to the family for the summer. We would play in the park in back of Grandma/Grandpa Herber's house and when Harold would come to town, he'd stop by, go to the park and talk with us kids, tell jokes(must run in the family!)and generally just be the cool person he was. We are going to definitely miss him."
"I have known this family my whole life. I am deeply saddend to hear this news. My family was lucky enough to have experienced many trips down the Mississippi on Harold and Marlenes houseboat. Going to the barn and watching the milking process.... When the barn burned to the ground....How your entire family was there for us during Denise's accident. Taking us snowmobiling.... I will never forget those times. My mom and dad were very good friends with them. Marlene and family, you are in our prayers and please know our hearts are heavy with grief over your loss. Harold was a wonderful person and he will be greatly missed. Bless you all!"
"So sad to hear of Harold's passing. We very much enjoyed the times we spent on the house boat. Harold was one of a kind, a fun person to be around. Always good for a joke. Nice picture of him, just as we remember him. He will be deeply missed by both of us!"
"Harold was an awesome, fun loving uncle who really charmed anyone he was around. I have memories of the old blue truck driving down the road and times on the Lily Mar ~ I'll miss you!"