Harold Raymond Kreutzer

HAROLD R. KREUTZER

Harold Raymond Kreutzer, age 91, of Menomonie, WI passed away Sunday, June 7, 2009 at the Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie.

He was born August 16, 1917 to Melvin and Christine (Solie) Kreutzer in Two Harbors, MN and moved with the family to the Kreutzer farm in rural Dunn County, WI at the age of six months.

Harold graduated from the Dunn County School of Agriculture in 1936 and worked numerous jobs. In 1937 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC). In 1938 he started working with the REA, surveying original power lines throughout central and northern WI.

Harold married his sweetheart Lilia Ann Suckow at her parents' home in the township of Stanton on September 26, 1940 and then moved to the family farm to take over and expand the operation.

In 1954 Harold, along with eight other leaders in the county, organized the West Wisconsin Telephone Coop by combining several small stock companies. He was elected its first president and served for over 30 years before deciding to slow down some and spend more winter "sun time", along with his wife Lilia, in Mesa, AZ.

In the 1960's Harold and five engineering friends, organized Power Systems Engineering, a firm based in Madison, WI. This firm helped to organize electric coops and design power grids throughout the upper Midwest.

Harold was an active lifelong member of the Little Elk Creek Lutheran Church. He also was very active in his earlier years with the Little Elk Creek 4-H club as a leader and one of the organizers of its 4-H softball field. He served as a director on the Wisconsin Electric Co-op board, representing telephone Co-ops. Harold enjoyed membership in the Moose Lodge. He loved to play cards and he was always ready for a hotly contested game of pool.

Harold, with his wife Lilia enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and especially spending the last 22 years of their married life in Mesa, AZ during the winter months. He continued to travel to Mesa every winter since Lilia's passing in 2003 and was thankful for all the many friends they had made at their home away from home.

Harold is survived by: two sons, Gerald (Gloria) Kreutzer of Brainerd, MN and David (Marie) Kreutzer of Menomonie; two daughters, Dr. Judith Rae Kreutzer of Menomonie and Anita (Bruce) Crosby of Hutchinson, MN; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law George (Mervyn) Suckow of Foley, AL; a dear friend Virginia "Midge" Larrabee; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and a host of many friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 63 years Lilia, his brother Leonard and sister Alice Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 12, 2009 at Little Elk Creek Lutheran Church in the Township of Dunn, Dunn Co., WI with Pastor Steve Carlson officiating. Burial will be in Little Elk Creek Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Little Elk Creek Lutheran Church or charity of donor's choice.