Harold John Doffing was born on January 26, 1927 to Ben & Anna (Thurmes) Doffing. He was the youngest of six children and grew up on the family farm south of Hampton, Minnesota. Harold turned 18 in the final year of World War II. After his birthday he attempted to join the Army, but his enlistment was rejected on medical grounds.
Harold was always an outstanding baseball player, and shortly after high school he received an invitation to try out professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals. He turned this down however, opting instead to stay home on the farm and play at the amateur level for the Hampton Cardinals; an organization he would be involved with for over 30 years.
He married Elizabeth Maher on October 20, 1951 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and they had their first child a year later. Despite being rejected by military previously and having just become a father, Harold was drafted into the peacetime Army in 1953. He attended basic training in Missouri and was stationed in Hawaii for two years where he was trained as a sharp shooter. Harold was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home to the farm.
Harold was a 4th generation farmer, and the family celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Doffing farm in 1956. But after the death of his parents, his siblings voted to sell the farm, ending a 110+ year run in the family. Harold & Betty then built a house about a mile down the road and Harold found work in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It was at work that Harold died suddenly of a heart attack on November 8, 1977. He was just 50 years old.
Because of Harold's contribution to baseball in Hampton as player, coach and employee, the Hampton Cardinals named their field after him in 1978. In addition to baseball, Harold enjoyed golf, dancing, bowling, hunting, and his short time as a Grandpa.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Marcella Erickson. He was survived by his wife, four children, two grandchildren, brothers Casey, Greg & Larry, and sister Barney. He was laid to rest at St. Mathias Cemetery in Hampton.
Harold was always an outstanding baseball player, and shortly after high school he received an invitation to try out professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals. He turned this down however, opting instead to stay home on the farm and play at the amateur level for the Hampton Cardinals; an organization he would be involved with for over 30 years.
He married Elizabeth Maher on October 20, 1951 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and they had their first child a year later. Despite being rejected by military previously and having just become a father, Harold was drafted into the peacetime Army in 1953. He attended basic training in Missouri and was stationed in Hawaii for two years where he was trained as a sharp shooter. Harold was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home to the farm.
Harold was a 4th generation farmer, and the family celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Doffing farm in 1956. But after the death of his parents, his siblings voted to sell the farm, ending a 110+ year run in the family. Harold & Betty then built a house about a mile down the road and Harold found work in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It was at work that Harold died suddenly of a heart attack on November 8, 1977. He was just 50 years old.
Because of Harold's contribution to baseball in Hampton as player, coach and employee, the Hampton Cardinals named their field after him in 1978. In addition to baseball, Harold enjoyed golf, dancing, bowling, hunting, and his short time as a Grandpa.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Marcella Erickson. He was survived by his wife, four children, two grandchildren, brothers Casey, Greg & Larry, and sister Barney. He was laid to rest at St. Mathias Cemetery in Hampton.
Harold John Doffing was born on January 26, 1927 to Ben & Anna (Thurmes) Doffing. He was the youngest of six children and grew up on the family farm south of Hampton, Minnesota. Harold turned 18 in the final year of World War II. After his birthday he attempted to join the Army, but his enlistment was rejected on medical grounds.
Harold was always an outstanding baseball player, and shortly after high school he received an invitation to try out professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals. He turned this down however, opting instead to stay home on the farm and play at the amateur level for the Hampton Cardinals; an organization he would be involved with for over 30 years.
He married Elizabeth Maher on October 20, 1951 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and they had their first child a year later. Despite being rejected by military previously and having just become a father, Harold was drafted into the peacetime Army in 1953. He attended basic training in Missouri and was stationed in Hawaii for two years where he was trained as a sharp shooter. Harold was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home to the farm.
Harold was a 4th generation farmer, and the family celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Doffing farm in 1956. But after the death of his parents, his siblings voted to sell the farm, ending a 110+ year run in the family. Harold & Betty then built a house about a mile down the road and Harold found work in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It was at work that Harold died suddenly of a heart attack on November 8, 1977. He was just 50 years old.
Because of Harold's contribution to baseball in Hampton as player, coach and employee, the Hampton Cardinals named their field after him in 1978. In addition to baseball, Harold enjoyed golf, dancing, bowling, hunting, and his short time as a Grandpa.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Marcella Erickson. He was survived by his wife, four children, two grandchildren, brothers Casey, Greg & Larry, and sister Barney. He was laid to rest at St. Mathias Cemetery in Hampton.
Harold was always an outstanding baseball player, and shortly after high school he received an invitation to try out professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals. He turned this down however, opting instead to stay home on the farm and play at the amateur level for the Hampton Cardinals; an organization he would be involved with for over 30 years.
He married Elizabeth Maher on October 20, 1951 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and they had their first child a year later. Despite being rejected by military previously and having just become a father, Harold was drafted into the peacetime Army in 1953. He attended basic training in Missouri and was stationed in Hawaii for two years where he was trained as a sharp shooter. Harold was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home to the farm.
Harold was a 4th generation farmer, and the family celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Doffing farm in 1956. But after the death of his parents, his siblings voted to sell the farm, ending a 110+ year run in the family. Harold & Betty then built a house about a mile down the road and Harold found work in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It was at work that Harold died suddenly of a heart attack on November 8, 1977. He was just 50 years old.
Because of Harold's contribution to baseball in Hampton as player, coach and employee, the Hampton Cardinals named their field after him in 1978. In addition to baseball, Harold enjoyed golf, dancing, bowling, hunting, and his short time as a Grandpa.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Marcella Erickson. He was survived by his wife, four children, two grandchildren, brothers Casey, Greg & Larry, and sister Barney. He was laid to rest at St. Mathias Cemetery in Hampton.
Gravesite Details
Shares plot with wife Betty, daughter-in-law Shirley Doffing.
