He was born in Poplar Hospital in Poplar, Montana.
When he was a toddler the family moved back to Florida. Times were hard and Harry Sr (his father) needed more income than the farm could provide for he and his brother's families.
Harry learned to love agriculture through being involved in FFA and later became president of his chapter in Sebring, Florida. Summers included going to Montana and working on his Uncle Hobart Wheeler's farm near Froid. He graduated from Sebring High School in 1946. He then attended Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana for one year.
He had known Viola Hollenberg from his childhood years in Sebring. They were reacquainted while he attended college. Harry found Viola a job as a babysitter/housekeeper in Montana at a nearby farm to where he worked. They courted in the summer of 1949. They fell in love and Harry quite often quoted the lyrics of a song to his soon-to-be bride - "We'll build a sweet little nest way out west and let the rest of the world go by."
In the fall, and early snowstorm came through Montana. Harry proposed while stuck in a snow bank and they were married January 1, 1950 in Sebring. After the wedding they returned to Montana in the spring and worked on Uncle Hobart's farm.
Harry & Vi had one child (Ken), while still in Froid. Harry found a farm to rent close to his father and uncle's "homestead". He borrowed his uncle's equipment to farm while still working for his Uncle Hobart. He and Vi eventually purchased the farm from the Buchanan family and over several years 5 more children were born (Barb, Don, Kathy, Carol & Wanda). Harry established himself as a farmer and rancher in the "Mineral Bench" community. The children grew, learning to help with farming, cattle, hogs, chickens and gardening.
Every Sunday was set aside for church and fellowship. Harry was faithful in getting his family the 50 miles to the Grandview Church of the Brethren, rain, shine, sleet or snow. He carried a scoop shovel, boots and coveralls in the back of the station wagon. Many times these items were needed to remove the station wagon from the snow. The family's roots were deep in the Grandview church. It was very near the Wheeler farm where Harry had started farming and founded in part by his grandparents and attended as well by several family members in the area.
Harry was involved in numerous organizations including Farmers Union, Soil Conservation, CO-OP Store Board, Church Moderator and Deacon. The kids were active in the community 4H program which kept Vi and him involved with those activities as well. In 1973 his accomplishments were recognized as the family was honored as Montana's "Farm Family of the Year".
As the years passed the children left the nest for college in McPherson, Kansas. Harry & Vi began returning to Florida for the winters. They enjoyed spending time with their siblings and parents.
In retirement, Harry became very involved in restoring old tractors and working with the Florida Flywheelers in Fort Mead, Florida. This became his passion and his favorite hobby. He spent 2 years as president of the Florida Flywheelers. In addition to antique tractors, he enjoyed drawing and painting - mostly birds and wildlife.
Most of their 13 years of retirement were spent on 10 acres near Sebring, where Harry enjoyed growing plants (like bananas, pineapples and orchids), raising chickens and gardening. Harry & Vi were very involved in the Sebring Church of the Brethren during this time.
In 2010 Harry felt it necessary to move closer to their children. The family helped them with preparations and they moved to Hesston, Kansas. It was there that he left for his heavenly home surrounded by his wife and children.
When he was a toddler the family moved back to Florida. Times were hard and Harry Sr (his father) needed more income than the farm could provide for he and his brother's families.
Harry learned to love agriculture through being involved in FFA and later became president of his chapter in Sebring, Florida. Summers included going to Montana and working on his Uncle Hobart Wheeler's farm near Froid. He graduated from Sebring High School in 1946. He then attended Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana for one year.
He had known Viola Hollenberg from his childhood years in Sebring. They were reacquainted while he attended college. Harry found Viola a job as a babysitter/housekeeper in Montana at a nearby farm to where he worked. They courted in the summer of 1949. They fell in love and Harry quite often quoted the lyrics of a song to his soon-to-be bride - "We'll build a sweet little nest way out west and let the rest of the world go by."
In the fall, and early snowstorm came through Montana. Harry proposed while stuck in a snow bank and they were married January 1, 1950 in Sebring. After the wedding they returned to Montana in the spring and worked on Uncle Hobart's farm.
Harry & Vi had one child (Ken), while still in Froid. Harry found a farm to rent close to his father and uncle's "homestead". He borrowed his uncle's equipment to farm while still working for his Uncle Hobart. He and Vi eventually purchased the farm from the Buchanan family and over several years 5 more children were born (Barb, Don, Kathy, Carol & Wanda). Harry established himself as a farmer and rancher in the "Mineral Bench" community. The children grew, learning to help with farming, cattle, hogs, chickens and gardening.
Every Sunday was set aside for church and fellowship. Harry was faithful in getting his family the 50 miles to the Grandview Church of the Brethren, rain, shine, sleet or snow. He carried a scoop shovel, boots and coveralls in the back of the station wagon. Many times these items were needed to remove the station wagon from the snow. The family's roots were deep in the Grandview church. It was very near the Wheeler farm where Harry had started farming and founded in part by his grandparents and attended as well by several family members in the area.
Harry was involved in numerous organizations including Farmers Union, Soil Conservation, CO-OP Store Board, Church Moderator and Deacon. The kids were active in the community 4H program which kept Vi and him involved with those activities as well. In 1973 his accomplishments were recognized as the family was honored as Montana's "Farm Family of the Year".
As the years passed the children left the nest for college in McPherson, Kansas. Harry & Vi began returning to Florida for the winters. They enjoyed spending time with their siblings and parents.
In retirement, Harry became very involved in restoring old tractors and working with the Florida Flywheelers in Fort Mead, Florida. This became his passion and his favorite hobby. He spent 2 years as president of the Florida Flywheelers. In addition to antique tractors, he enjoyed drawing and painting - mostly birds and wildlife.
Most of their 13 years of retirement were spent on 10 acres near Sebring, where Harry enjoyed growing plants (like bananas, pineapples and orchids), raising chickens and gardening. Harry & Vi were very involved in the Sebring Church of the Brethren during this time.
In 2010 Harry felt it necessary to move closer to their children. The family helped them with preparations and they moved to Hesston, Kansas. It was there that he left for his heavenly home surrounded by his wife and children.
He was born in Poplar Hospital in Poplar, Montana.
When he was a toddler the family moved back to Florida. Times were hard and Harry Sr (his father) needed more income than the farm could provide for he and his brother's families.
Harry learned to love agriculture through being involved in FFA and later became president of his chapter in Sebring, Florida. Summers included going to Montana and working on his Uncle Hobart Wheeler's farm near Froid. He graduated from Sebring High School in 1946. He then attended Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana for one year.
He had known Viola Hollenberg from his childhood years in Sebring. They were reacquainted while he attended college. Harry found Viola a job as a babysitter/housekeeper in Montana at a nearby farm to where he worked. They courted in the summer of 1949. They fell in love and Harry quite often quoted the lyrics of a song to his soon-to-be bride - "We'll build a sweet little nest way out west and let the rest of the world go by."
In the fall, and early snowstorm came through Montana. Harry proposed while stuck in a snow bank and they were married January 1, 1950 in Sebring. After the wedding they returned to Montana in the spring and worked on Uncle Hobart's farm.
Harry & Vi had one child (Ken), while still in Froid. Harry found a farm to rent close to his father and uncle's "homestead". He borrowed his uncle's equipment to farm while still working for his Uncle Hobart. He and Vi eventually purchased the farm from the Buchanan family and over several years 5 more children were born (Barb, Don, Kathy, Carol & Wanda). Harry established himself as a farmer and rancher in the "Mineral Bench" community. The children grew, learning to help with farming, cattle, hogs, chickens and gardening.
Every Sunday was set aside for church and fellowship. Harry was faithful in getting his family the 50 miles to the Grandview Church of the Brethren, rain, shine, sleet or snow. He carried a scoop shovel, boots and coveralls in the back of the station wagon. Many times these items were needed to remove the station wagon from the snow. The family's roots were deep in the Grandview church. It was very near the Wheeler farm where Harry had started farming and founded in part by his grandparents and attended as well by several family members in the area.
Harry was involved in numerous organizations including Farmers Union, Soil Conservation, CO-OP Store Board, Church Moderator and Deacon. The kids were active in the community 4H program which kept Vi and him involved with those activities as well. In 1973 his accomplishments were recognized as the family was honored as Montana's "Farm Family of the Year".
As the years passed the children left the nest for college in McPherson, Kansas. Harry & Vi began returning to Florida for the winters. They enjoyed spending time with their siblings and parents.
In retirement, Harry became very involved in restoring old tractors and working with the Florida Flywheelers in Fort Mead, Florida. This became his passion and his favorite hobby. He spent 2 years as president of the Florida Flywheelers. In addition to antique tractors, he enjoyed drawing and painting - mostly birds and wildlife.
Most of their 13 years of retirement were spent on 10 acres near Sebring, where Harry enjoyed growing plants (like bananas, pineapples and orchids), raising chickens and gardening. Harry & Vi were very involved in the Sebring Church of the Brethren during this time.
In 2010 Harry felt it necessary to move closer to their children. The family helped them with preparations and they moved to Hesston, Kansas. It was there that he left for his heavenly home surrounded by his wife and children.
When he was a toddler the family moved back to Florida. Times were hard and Harry Sr (his father) needed more income than the farm could provide for he and his brother's families.
Harry learned to love agriculture through being involved in FFA and later became president of his chapter in Sebring, Florida. Summers included going to Montana and working on his Uncle Hobart Wheeler's farm near Froid. He graduated from Sebring High School in 1946. He then attended Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana for one year.
He had known Viola Hollenberg from his childhood years in Sebring. They were reacquainted while he attended college. Harry found Viola a job as a babysitter/housekeeper in Montana at a nearby farm to where he worked. They courted in the summer of 1949. They fell in love and Harry quite often quoted the lyrics of a song to his soon-to-be bride - "We'll build a sweet little nest way out west and let the rest of the world go by."
In the fall, and early snowstorm came through Montana. Harry proposed while stuck in a snow bank and they were married January 1, 1950 in Sebring. After the wedding they returned to Montana in the spring and worked on Uncle Hobart's farm.
Harry & Vi had one child (Ken), while still in Froid. Harry found a farm to rent close to his father and uncle's "homestead". He borrowed his uncle's equipment to farm while still working for his Uncle Hobart. He and Vi eventually purchased the farm from the Buchanan family and over several years 5 more children were born (Barb, Don, Kathy, Carol & Wanda). Harry established himself as a farmer and rancher in the "Mineral Bench" community. The children grew, learning to help with farming, cattle, hogs, chickens and gardening.
Every Sunday was set aside for church and fellowship. Harry was faithful in getting his family the 50 miles to the Grandview Church of the Brethren, rain, shine, sleet or snow. He carried a scoop shovel, boots and coveralls in the back of the station wagon. Many times these items were needed to remove the station wagon from the snow. The family's roots were deep in the Grandview church. It was very near the Wheeler farm where Harry had started farming and founded in part by his grandparents and attended as well by several family members in the area.
Harry was involved in numerous organizations including Farmers Union, Soil Conservation, CO-OP Store Board, Church Moderator and Deacon. The kids were active in the community 4H program which kept Vi and him involved with those activities as well. In 1973 his accomplishments were recognized as the family was honored as Montana's "Farm Family of the Year".
As the years passed the children left the nest for college in McPherson, Kansas. Harry & Vi began returning to Florida for the winters. They enjoyed spending time with their siblings and parents.
In retirement, Harry became very involved in restoring old tractors and working with the Florida Flywheelers in Fort Mead, Florida. This became his passion and his favorite hobby. He spent 2 years as president of the Florida Flywheelers. In addition to antique tractors, he enjoyed drawing and painting - mostly birds and wildlife.
Most of their 13 years of retirement were spent on 10 acres near Sebring, where Harry enjoyed growing plants (like bananas, pineapples and orchids), raising chickens and gardening. Harry & Vi were very involved in the Sebring Church of the Brethren during this time.
In 2010 Harry felt it necessary to move closer to their children. The family helped them with preparations and they moved to Hesston, Kansas. It was there that he left for his heavenly home surrounded by his wife and children.
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