Harold Darrell Sumner

Harold D. Sumner, of Boyd, died Monday, December 7, 2020 at Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 99.

Public visitation will be held Monday, December 14, 2020 from 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Dawson, with a family memorial service to follow.  Family services will be live streamed beginning at 1:00 PM, and available to view on Harold's obituary page.  Rev. Herb Rotunda will officiate and interment will be in the Dawson Cemetery.  Services will be filmed, and available on Harold's obituary page Tuesday, December 15.

Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Harold Darrell Sumner was born to Perry and Mamie Sumner in Bejou Township, Mahnomen, MN on April 2, 1921.  He moved to Lac qui Parle County at 2 years of age living on the Tree Claim site his grandfather, Henry Harrison Sumner started in the 1800’s.

In 1942 Harold was drafted into the United States Army and inducted at Fort Snelling, and was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia.  After maneuvers in Tennessee and South Carolina he returned to Camp Gordon. In the spring of 1944 there was an error causing Harold to be assigned to the 11th Pilipino Infantry. He then was assigned properly to the 11th Armored Division, the 41st Cavalry Recon Mechanized Division. In December, he was stationed at Camp Kilburn, New Jersey before going to England for about 3 months. From there he went to the Bastogne area of Germany.  Later, he was transferred to France and later while stationed in Austria, he was in charge of the general's horses and a riding stable.  Later, the 11th Armored Division disbanded and Harold was transferred into the 90th Infantry in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Harold was discharged from Ft. McCoy, December 30, 1945 with the rank of Corporal.  He received a Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, European-African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, and 45 Victory Medal.  Harold was involved in campaigns and battles in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

Harold is a life member of the VFW Post 5247 and the American Legion Post 177.  He traveled the state over 50 years proudly marching in the Dawson Drill Team and served on the VFW Firing Squad.  He served as Post Commander and many local club board positions, as District Commander, and District Quarter Master for 20 years.

Harold had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C on The Honor Flight in September 2011.  Accompanied by his son, Tim, they were able to visit many historical and memorial sites.

For many years Harold served on the County Planning and zoning board.  He was the Maxwell Township’s Assessor for 32 years and director on the Farmers Elevator Board in Boyd, MN.  He served on the Dawson Cemetery Board for many years.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, serving in many varied positions on the church board, and also as an usher.

Harold attended a one room country school, District #72, through 8 grades when he needed to leave school to help his father on the farm.

Harold started farming in 1946 with his brother, Glenn on his father’s farm.  In 1951 he moved 3 miles east of Dawson and continued farming there.  He purchased a farm 4 miles West of Boyd in 1954 where he still resided all but his 38 months in the Army.  He was proud of having received the Conservation Farmer Award in the 1990’s.  After retiring from farming he spent time working in the garden, weaving rugs which he showed at the County Fair and craft fairs in the surrounding area.

Harold was united in marriage to Marcella Fousek on November 2, 1947.  There were five children born to this union.

Harold is survived by his daughters, Linda (Doug Dahl), Barbara (Stephen Turner), Arlene (Sidney Johnson), and Joyce; son, Timothy (Ruth); 18 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marcella; brothers Gerald, Kenneth, Merrill, Glenn; and sisters, Gladys, Verlan and Leone.