Harold Binder

Harold Binder, age 83, died on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at his residence in rural Storm Lake.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2005 at Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. A private family committal service will be held. There will be no visitation.

Harold Boyd Binder was born on August 18, 1922 in Robinson, Kansas to Arthur and Docille (Hedrick) Binder. His father was killed in a farm accident when Harold was six, and his mother died of pneumonia when he was seven. He attended elementary schools in Oakhill, Kansas and high school in Longford, Kansas before moving to Iowa with his aunt and uncle, Anna and Lawrence Binder, to a farm near Rembrandt, Iowa. From 1939 to 1942 Harold worked for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California as an engine mechanic. He enlisted in the Navy on October 16, 1942 and served during WW II as an Aviation Machinist Mate-Second Class. Harold was also a turret gunner on a B-17 bomber in the Air Transport Squadron which was dedicated to hunting submarines. His service included stints in North Africa, the Caribbean, and other Atlantic operations. He had many colorful stories to tell of his service to our country, including his brother’s being trapped in a submerged ship for days after the Pearl Harbor attack. Harold was discharged from the Navy on February 10, 1946 moving to St. Joseph, Missouri where he ran a gas station for a brief time. In 1946 he began his farming career near Alta, Iowa. He was married to Ann Schroeder of Storm Lake on June 2, 1948. To this union, three children were born. In 1954 his family moved to the farm five miles northwest of Storm Lake where he lived until his passing. While farming he worked for Hygrade Foods seventeen years before retiring in 1976. Harold farmed in partnership with his sons from 1976 to 1989.

Harold will be remembered as a devoted husband and father. He had a passion for farming and feeding cattle, attending his children’s athletic events while they were in school, laughing with his grandchildren and their antics, having coffee with friends, and working on machinery. He was a warm hearted, kind and merciful man, always ready to lend a helping hand.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dwight and Guy; and three sisters, Gladys, Maxine and Darlene.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his sons, Michael of Alexandria, Minnesota and Terry and his wife, Jackie of Tyler, Texas; daughter Jean and her husband Steve Mohr of Fonda, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Chad Binder of Phoenix, Arizona, Patrick Binder of Portland, Oregon, Curtis Binder of Columbus, Ohio, Jason Mohr of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Callie, Abby and Whitney Binder of Tyler, Texas, Jayme Mohr of Ankeny, Iowa; three great-grandsons, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the Binder Family has established a memorial fund in Harold’s honor to aid in research to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.