Harold J. Kreager

A funeral service for Harold J. Kreager, 91, of Kennebec, S.D., will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the United Methodist Church in Kennebec, S.D., with burial in the Kennebec City Cemetery at Kennebec. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Kennebec.

Harold J. Kreager was born the youngest of six children to Ralph and Floy (McElroy) Kreager Feb. 13, 1924, in Newton. He attended country school and graduated from Newton High School in Newton. After high school, he attended Iowa State University in Ames. In 1943, Harold was called to join the U.S. Army and served as a gunner during World War II. He served in Europe until the war ended and returned home in 1946. After his discharge, he went to flight training and became an ag spray pilot. He flew for several people in various places before going to Kennebec to fly for Morris Hintz. During this time, he met Mary Roberts and on Oct. 9, 1954, they married in Kennebec. To this union, two daughters were born, Nancy and Lori, and they parented many foster children and hosted exchange students. In 1953, he bought his first spray plane and established his own ag spray business on the northwest edge of Kennebec. Harold retired from flying in 1990, and gave his full attention to his love of horses and his grandchildren.

Harold passed away Aug. 23, 2015, at the Gregory Hospital in Gregory, S.D., at the age of 91 years. Gratefully sharing his life are his wife Mary of Kennebec; two daughters Nancy Harmon of Chamberlain and Lori Ness of Kennebec, Pam and Kelly Cawthorne and family of Harrisburg, S.D., and Rhonda Brevik and family; five grandchildren Tabatha Harmon, Tom Harmon, Elliot Gourneau, Maycee Ness, Layne Larson and husband Ryan; six great grandchildren, Braxton Harmon, Kalibur Mundlien, Amelia Mundlien, Richard Harmon, Abby Harmon and Trig Larson; and a sister Lucille Shaw of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers Ross, Morris and Bob; and a sister Nadine Christenson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kennebec United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 272, Kennebec, SD 57544.