Harlan Pieper

Harlan Pieper, 95, of Clara City, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the Clara City Care Center.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church in Clara City.  Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 5 to 7:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

 Harlan Herbert Pieper was born May 1, 1929, the son of Herbert & Lena Pieper in Stoneham Township, Chippewa County. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He attended country school in the Stoneham township and then went on to attend the University of Minnesota Morris Agriculture School. 

Harlan served his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Korea. He was honorably discharged in May of 1955. Harlan was united in marriage with Alberta Brandt on July 28, 1957 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Denver, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Deborah, Philip and Daniel.

 Together they farmed in the Clara City area. Harlan grew sugar beets and grains and was a founding member of the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. Harlan also raised a herd of beef cattle, breeding Charolais and Simmental crossbreds. Harlan had been a farmer all his life. He loved to work on machinery and was always engineering improvements on his equipment. 

Harlan and Alberta moved to town in 1993 and spent over 20 years wintering in Texas. He was an avid gardener; growing roses and fruit trees in Texas, and big vegetable gardens in Minnesota. He and Alberta enjoyed annual fishing trips with friends. He was a member of the American Legion, served on the Clara City School Board and held various offices at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church where he and Alberta were some of the founding members. They always enjoyed visits from their friends and family both in Minnesota and in Texas. 

Harlan celebrated each day with friends or family and enjoyed sharing a happy hour at the end of the day. He was especially happy to see his grandkids and great grandkids as often as they made time to stop and visit with him.Harlan passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the Clara City Care Center. He was 95 years of age.

He is survived by his children, Deb (Bruce) Stutelberg, Phil (Lanae) Pieper, Dan (Rhonda) Pieper, all of Clara City; grandchildren, Craig (Melissa) Stutelberg, Anna (Jon) Tjaden, Katie Pieper, Nicholas (Jessaca) Pieper, Abigail Pieper, Erika Pieper; great grandchildren, Ethan Dunkelberger, Evelyn Stutelberg, Eleanor Stutelberg, and Asher Tjaden; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alberta; grandson Jacob Daniel Pieper; brothers, Gerald & LaVern and sisters, Elaine Johnson, Doris Schei and Lorraine Peterson.