Harold A. Wilson

Harold Wilson, Prominent Rancher-Citizen and Native of County, Dies

Harold Wilson, 57, native Sioux County rancher, longtime school board member and leader in agriculture and other activities, died Thursday night at the Chadron Hospital as the result of a heart attack suffered a week earlier.

He had first had the attack early the morning of January 14 while alone at the ranch. The Sioux County Rescue Unit accompanied by Mrs. Wilson took him to the Chadron Hospital where he was believed to be making satisfactory progress. However, he suffered another attack about noon on January 20 and died about 11 p.m. that night.

The funeral service was held at the United Memorial Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday with people beyond the capacity of the church standing to pay Mr. Wilson final honor. The Rev. Larry Shrout, pastor of the church, officiated, and Dan Christian of Lusk, a rancher neighbor, sang "The Old Rugged Cross," "How Great Thou Art," and "His Eye Is On the Sparrow," accompanied by Mrs. Robert Todd, pianist and organist. Burial was in the Harrison Cemetery.

Serving as pall bearers were Terance Gillett, Bob Phipps, Ronald Grote, Bill Baker, Chuck Smith and Harold Dunn. Honorary pall bearers were Lester Dunn, Julian Phipps, Vernon Dunn, Art Dunn, Ray Christian, Bob Mann, Harold Skavdahl, Dean Lundy, Everett Thomas, Olie Seaman, and Emery Zimmerman. Members of the silent Military Honor Guard were Vernon Schaefer, Clarence Schnurr, A. F. Partridge, J. B. Rabe, Buster Wickersham, Octave Hanley, Lyle Lewis, Alvin Publow, Vernon Holtz, Jim A. Phipps and Russell From.

BORN IN COUNTY
Harold A. Wilson, son of Lorenzo L. and Anna LuElla Wilson, was born July 2, 1914, in Sioux County. He was married to Catherine Annie Brunckhorst on August 1, 1942, at San Luis Obispo, Calif. Four daughters and one son were born to them.

Mr. Wilson lived his entire life in Sioux County. He received his education in the schools of Sioux County, graduating from Sioux County High School in 1932. He spent his adult life ranching on his father's homestead except for four years spent in the United States Army during World War II. He saw active combat duty in the Pacific Theater and was involved in the Aleutian Islands, Marshall Islands, and the Philippine Island campaigns. Decorations received in the service included a Good Conduct Ribbon, Ribbon With Two Bronze Stars, APTC Ribbon with four Bronze Service Stars, Combat INF Badge, Philippine Liberation.

He was a member of the local VFW Post No. 7970 serving as commander and in other offices.

Mr. Wilson was vitally interested in the local schools having served a total of 24 years on school boards - sixteen of these years on the Sioux County High School Board of Education. His greatest satisfaction were the completion of the new Sioux County High School building and the continuing importance of the vocational agricultural program.

His agricultural services include membership in the Sandhills Cattle Association, Federal Crop Reporter, board of directors of the White River Soil and Water Conservation District, ASCS County Committeeman and chairman of the Sioux County RC&D Rural Development Program.

As a life long member of the local Memorial United Methodist Church, he served as chairman of the official board, church trustee, lay reader and steward.

He led a life filled with hard work, intense family love and pride, and endless civic mindedness. He carried no grudges even though many fondest hopes and dreams were never realized.

Mr. Wilson is survived by his widow; one son, William H. at home; four daughters, Luella M. (Mrs. Ron Jensen) of Chadron, Mary L. of Norfolk, Neb., Kathy A. at home, and Nancy E. attending the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Survivors also include his brother Fred D. Ellis of Clarkston, Wash., Linvil I. Ellis of Kooskia, Idaho, Walter M. Ellis of Clarkston, Wash., and John L. Wilson of Moses Lake, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Willard T. and Frank R. Ellis.

Out-of-town relatives and friends here for the services included Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson and Walter C. Wilson of Moses Lake, Wash,; Mr. and Mrs. Pete Lewis, Spokane, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Woodruff, Butte, Neb.; Walter Ellis, Clarkston, Wash.; Lin Ellis, Kooskia, Idaho; Mrs. Gilbert Norman, Grand Island, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Herrick, Brady Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Ashton Whisler, Gillette, Wyo.; Irvin Ellis, Clarkston, Wash; Mr. and Mrs. Dan Brennen, Dayton, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Day, Edgemont, S.D.; Mrs. Elizabeth Trussel, Crawford; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Leeling, Casper, Wyo.; Mrs. Kenneth Taylor, Todd and Tana, Douglas, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hales, Lee and Sam and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sides of Lusk; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Sides of Keeline, Wyo.

Mrs. Wayne Heckert, Douglas; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Jordan, Mr. and Mrs. John Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zerbst, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Fancher, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Zerbe, all of Lusk; Mrs. Clifford Amundsen, Morrill, Neb.; William J. Taylor, Charles L. Cressy, Larry L. Laun, and Carl Horst, all of the Chadron State College faculty; Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Brown, Morrill, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Heckert , Lusk; Frank Hanson, Van Tassell, Wyo.; Mrs. Rick Kaan of Chadron; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pfister, Node, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Dunlap, Scottsbluff; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bardo and Mr. and Mrs. Willard Porter of Lusk.

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