HARTINGTON — Harold Edward Eickhoff, 95, Hartington, died peacefully at the Arbor Care Center, Hartington, Nov. 18, 2024. Surrounded by their children, holding his hand, was Betty, his wife of 70 years.

Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 23 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, with Fr. Jeffery Eickhoff officiating and was live streamed on the Wintz & Ray Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live.

Burial, with military honors by the Hartington VFW Post #5283 and the Legion Riders, followed immediately at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce.

Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers, respectively, were Harold’s grandchildren, Brian, Brad, Jason and Justin Steffen, Trevor and Cameron Luna, Thomas McEwan, Michel and Marc Eickhoff and Jackson Eickhoff, Kristi (Steffen) Bruning, Kathi (Steffen) Gubbels, Marie (Eickhoff) Geist, Marisa (Eickhoff) Rolfes, Maisie (Eickhoff) Luce, Katelyn (Eickhoff) Becker and Courtney Eickhoff.

Visitation and a vigil service were Nov. 22 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Harold was the first of seven sons born to Frank Anton and Martha Matilda (Walz) Eickhoff on a chilly Nov. 13, 1929, in Beavercreek. At 13, Harold moved with his family to their new farm just west of Fordyce. He graduated from Holy Trinity in 1946. His early life was filled with family, hard work, and homemade ice cream every night. Harold proudly served four years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a decorated Marine. Upon his discharge, he returned home to Fordyce, where a few short years later at 10 a.m, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1954, he married the girl of his dreams, who grew up on a farm across the road. Harold and his bride, Betty (Wubben), raised cattle, hogs, chickens, corn, beans, vegetables, apples, cherries, a lot of flowers and five children on a farm just east of Fordyce.

He loved sports and was an athlete all his life, playing baseball, bowling and dancing. After building their retirement home in Hartington, Harry swung a golf club for the first time. He went on to golf nearly every day the weather permitted. His holes-in-one were achieved in the Hartington league and the Senior league. He and Betty loved to travel and for 20-plus years they did so with his brothers and their wives touring the U.S., and golfing in California, Texas, Florida and many courses in between.

Harold was a loyal community supporter serving on the Cedar-Knox Public Power Board of Directors, the Rural Fire Department Board and the Fordyce Co-Op. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Post Commander of the VFW.

Harold is survived by his devoted wife, Betty (Wubben) Eickhoff; and his children, Mary Lou (Bob) Steffen, Hartington; Charlotte (Mike) Tilley, 10,000 Islands, Fla.; Jean (John) McEwan, Warrensburg Mo.; Ron Eickhoff, Lincoln; and Ken (Lori) Eickhoff, Fordyce; 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; brothers, Larry (Joan) Eickhoff, Omaha, and Charles Eickhoff, Nebraska City; sisters-in-law, Alice Eickhoff, Della Eickhoff, Claudette (Doug) Sternhagen, Jean Lammers, Coletta Wubben, Diane Wubben and Janice Wubben; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Wubben and Dean McGregor.

He is joined in death with his parents, Frank and Martha Eickhoff; in-laws, Ray and Alma Wubben; brothers, Robert “Bob,” Daniel “Dan,” Edward and Donald Eickhoff; brothers-in-law, Cyril, Mark and Daniel Wubben, Dave Thoene and Tom Lammers; sisters-in-law, Sue Eickhoff, Geralda McGregor and Marla Wubben.

Memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist Cemetery Care in Fordyce.