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Harold Lake Obituary
WATERLOO - Harold Fredrick Michels Jr., 85, of Waterloo, formerly of Mason City and Clear Lake, died at Lakeview Landing of Friendship Village on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, of natural causes.
He was born Dec. 9, 1931, in Grand Island, NE, the son of Harold F. Sr. and Ann Kasik Michels. He married Mary Louise Ulin on June 12, 1953, in Mason City, Iowa; she preceded him in death on Oct. 16, 2010.
He graduated from Mason City High School; graduated in 1954 from Iowa State University in Ames with a degree in civil engineering.
Harold began his career as a civil engineer at Wallace & Holland in Mason City, moved to Waterloo in 1969 to work for Young Plumbing & Heating Development Co.; and in 1981 started his own firm, Michels Engineering.
Harold served in the U.S. Army as part of the Army Corps of Engineers assigned to the Air Force as a photographer at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, from 1954 to 1956.
He was a member of Cedar Valley Community Church where he also tended to the grounds; also served weekly at Harvest Vineyard Waterloo and Countryside Vineyard in Evansdale. He was an active member of the Gideon's and Love Inc. volunteer.
He is survived by his four daughters: Darlene (Greg) Cooper, Rochester, MN; Lynda (Craig) Van Syoc, Clear Lake; Nancy (Joe) Schaefer, Hudson; and Wendy (Brian) Knapp Bowman, Cedar Falls; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Donna (Lorenz) Daleske; two nieces and a nephew.
Harold was a strong supporter of organizations that spread the gospel, served those in poverty (particularly Veterans, Native Americans, and Appalachians) and upheld the Constitution of the United States of America.
In addition to his strong faith, wisdom, and acts of service, Harold will best be remembered for his love of nature, great intelligence, sense of humor, devotion to family, and the beautiful cabin he designed and built over 35 years on the banks of Clear Lake. There deep bonds and lasting memories were formed.
Memorial Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Cedar Valley Community Church followed with a flag presentation by Waterloo Amvets Post 19, Evansdale Amvets Post 31 and Iowa Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Inurnment will be at later date in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.
Visitation will be for an hour before services at the church on Friday.
Memorials may be directed to the church.
Arrangements by Locke Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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