Harold Geisinger

Harold Vernon Geisinger, age 94, a lifelong resident of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Friday, November 20, 2020 at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake. Public graveside services will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Storm Lake Cemetery. Masks will be required for guests in attendance. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the United Methodist Church 211 E 3rd St, Storm Lake, IA 50588; Methodist Manor 1206 W 4th St, Storm Lake, IA 50588; Alta VFW Post 6172 505 Johnson St, Alta, IA 51002; or a charity of the donor's choice. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Harold was born in Storm Lake on December 24, 1925 to Lawrence Jay (L.J.) Geisinger and Coralyn Smith Geisinger. He grew up on the family farm north of Storm Lake. Thanks to a deferment from military service, Harold was able to graduate from Storm Lake High School in 1944. In July 1944 he reported to basic training in Little Rock, Arkansas. and served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. On his nineteenth birthday, Christmas eve 1944, he left Storm Lake on a train going east. He arrived in Europe in January 1945 as a replacement soldier after the battle of the Bulge. On Valentine’s day 1945 he reported to sick call with a severe bout of pneumonia which sidelined him for a time, after his recovery he spent time in Germany guarding outposts in Bavaria. On April 18, 1948, Harold married Laura May (Qualls) Hutchinson. Three children were born to this union: Susan Kay Geisinger (Sue), Harold Vernon Geisinger II (Butch), and Donald Edward Geisinger (Donnie). Harold farmed in partnership with his father, L.J. Geisinger and his brother, Arch Geisinger raising cattle, hogs and grain. When his son Butch took over the farm Harold assisted with the family farm by driving the combine or the grain carts until he was 92. He was proud when the farm was designated an Iowa Century Farm in 2016. To take his mind off the stresses of crop yields and weather, he turned to his first love: flying an airplane. Harold flew as often as he could for any excuse, from visiting his daughter in college, to surveying crop damage, to attending state basketball tournaments. He was a well-known Storm Lake citizen, serving several years on the Iowa State Extension and the Storm Lake Community School boards. He was a lifelong member of the Storm Lake United Methodist Church and a member of the Storm Lake Kiwanis Beavers. He was a fifty year member of the International Order of Odd Fellows and Eastern Star. He was a member of the Jewel Lodge in Storm Lake and then a member of the Pomegranate Lodge #408 for a combined total of 54 years. He was probably most well-known for frequenting all the local restaurants with the members of his card club and his family. All the servers knew him by name. His stubborn refusal to allow anyone else to pick up even part of the check at these family outings caused a significant amount of consternation, but also cemented his reputation for being generous to a fault. He frequently donated his time to drive veterans to Des Moines for medical treatment, and even flew a gentleman in his plane to Minnesota for cancer treatments. Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Laura May (Qualls) Hutchinson Geisinger his parents, Lawrence Jay and Coralyn Smith Geisinger; his brother, Archibald Geisinger. He is survived by his children, Susan (Sue) Geisinger of Storm Lake, Harold (Butch) Geisinger and his wife Sally, of Storm Lake, and Donald (Donnie) Geisinger and his wife Debbie of Olathe, Kansas; his grandchildren Amy Lawrenz and her husband Chris, Chad Geisinger and his wife Shannon, Darren Geisinger, and Diana Geisinger; and six great-grandchildren: Brenden Lawrenz, Laura Sutton, Emily Sutton, Leah Geisinger, Natalie Geisinger, and James Lawrenz.

Harold Geisinger

December 24, 1925 - November 20, 2020