Obituary of Harold D. Wall

Harold D. Wall, 94 of Coralville, formerly of Storm Lake died Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, August 11, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church of Storm Lake, Iowa. Burial will follow at the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery near Storm Lake. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services assisted Harold's family with the local arrangements. Born November 28, 1919, Maple Valley township, rural Alta, Iowa in the family home, the son of Herber G Wall and Cora (Buckingham) Wall. In 1927, when Harold was 7 years old the family moved into Storm Lake. Harold attended school in Storm Lake and graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1937. That same year the family bought and moved to a farm just west of Strom Lake and Harold worked on the farm with his parents until he was called to military service in 1942. Harold served in the military Army branch from Feb. 1942 – January, 1946. He served in the states for 3 years lastly in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and served 1 year in the Europeon Theatre during WWII in France and Germany. He returned to the states in January 1946. He was honorably discharged having attained the rank of T5 Corporal. While serving Harold was a tractor and truck driver and was a "setter" on a Howitzer and M1-90mm gun crew. After the war Harold returned to farming and bought his own farm close to his parent's farm one mile west of Storm Lake. Harold took the short course in Animal Husbandry at Iowa State University. In January, 1947 he was issued certification pilots license to operate a single engine private airplane having achieved a solo flight. Harold met the love of his life, Ellen Mae Zielstra in Storm Lake. Ellen worked at the grain elevator at the time. They married on January 16, 1949, in the home of Ellen's parents on the farm in rural Clay County near Dickens, IA. They lived in town in Storm Lake for one year before moving to their home farm in 1950 where they lived for the next 47 years. Harold retired from farming in 1987 but continued to live on the homestead. Harold and Ellen liked to travel and spent their winters in Bradenton, Florida in the 80's and then later spent several winters during the 90's in Pismo Beach, California. They enjoyed traveling and had traveled to all 50 states. Harold and Ellen were avid bridge players and enjoyed playing contract bridge where ever they traveled. Harold and Ellen both achieved the status of Regional Master in duplicate bridge. Harold was also a pretty good Hearts player and could defeat his children and grandchildren in the game. Harold enjoyed raising feeder cattle and in 1953 he sold a lot of cattle that topped the market at the Sioux City stockyards. In 1956 Harold had a new home built on the homestead that he designed for his family and felt good that he provided a beautiful new home for his family. Harold took an interest in the stock market and for several years to the end of his life he continued to manage his investments. Harold was also a Farmall tractor man. Ellen died April 12, 1997. Harold said that his thoughts were always to Ellen,"the woman who supported me and stood beside me. She was my inspiration and my confidant. She encouraged me and always supported me. Without her I would not have been successful, for it was from Ellen that I received much of my drive and desire. ..she is what I needed to be a whole person." Harold enjoyed the people in his life. He was especially proud that he had all four of his children attend college. That was important to him. He was also proud of the improvements he made to his farm. Harold was a long time member of Farm Bureau; he was a member of Storm Lake Kiwanis and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, Strom Lake. Harold and Ellen sang in the church choir for a time. He is survived by four children, Kathleen E Kramer (Wayne) of Slaughter, LA; Kenneth Wall (Susan Totten) Iowa City, IA; Russell G Wall (Susan) Johnston, IA; and Brenda J Wall of Boone, IA; five grandchildren, Alexander Wall (Ithica,NY), Brianne Wall (Jarian Sky) Medford, MA., Abraham Wall, Kississimmee, FL, Patricia Hotka (Thom) Windsor Heights, IA and Hannah Wall (David Calaci) Coralville, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert G Wall and Cora Buckingham Wall, his sister Olive Schroll and his beloved wife Ellen. Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church, Storm Lake.