Harold Dean Withers

Harold Dean Withers was born to Robert and Frieda (Reichmann) Withers in Alexandria, Minnesota on May 1, 1943. He grew up on the family farm, only a couple miles from Osakis, Minnesota where he graduated from Osakis Public School. He enjoyed playing sports during high school, especially football. After graduating Harold attended Mankato State University for a year with the help of a football scholarship. Knowing the love of his life was waiting for him back home, Harold put schooling on the back burner. He enrolled in Artificial Insemination training with Curtiss Breeding Service shortly thereafter, proposed to the love of his life, Kathleen Heid, and joined the National Guard. Harold and Kathleen were married on August 8, 1964 on a blistering hot summer day at Fahlun Lutheran Church. Three children were born to this union, Tracy, Terri, and Trevor.

After a few short months living in a one room apartment, they moved to a small rental home in Alexandria. Harold did custom combining, helped out on the family farm and expanded his business. He then moved his family to a farm near Osakis, where he helped his father and brother with farming.

Raising and improving registered Holsteins became a lifetime goal for Harold. As milk production increased and his beautiful girls did well in the show ring, Harold was privileged to sell some of his prize Holsteins. The result of all that hard work was a prized bull (Withers Dolan), proven to be a good enough sire to be leased to the American Breeder's Service. Payments from lease helped to purchase the farm, buy a tractor, and have a new house built in 1977. Harold also helped to start a Christian Radio station in Osakis as the Spirit moved him to be a blessing to others.

As his children were growing up, he became more involved in their activities becoming a 4-H leader, serving on the school board, attending games and concerts and helping them to show those prize Holsteins. He also enjoyed playing softball, snowmobiling , singing in the church choir and Gordon Men’s Chorus, watching Nascar, and serving on different committees throughout the years.

As Harold grew in his faith, he was convicted by the Spirit to do more to help make life better for others. Harold and Kathy decided to help sponsor a family from Vietnam through our church and also sponsored children through World Vision. Through the years Harold and Kathy opened their home to foreign exchange students from all over the world including, Japan, Finland, France, Spain, Denmark, and Costa Rica.

After Harold sold the cattle in 1990, they were able to travel to visit their children and grandchildren. He was able to make several trips to Savannah, GA. camping at Skidaway State Park where the grandkids could join him for hiking and biking. Harold’s son, Tracy, got him interested in going to Nascar races. Harold got tickets for Daytona one year and he got the bug. Harold ended up going to several different race tracks all over the U.S.

He loved camping and four wheeling in the mountains with Trevor’s family. Labor Day weekends became an annual camping event in Detroit Lakes with relatives. Many trips were made to Eden Prairie to attend grandchildren events, also.

Harold continued to crop farm for a few years, then rented the land out to other farmers. Finally, in 2012, he decided to sell the farm acreage, keeping the building site on 16 acres. After retirement, he helped to build homes with Habitat for Humanity for 15 years, including going to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

Harold D. Withers, of Osakis, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Alomere Health in Alexandria, Minnesota at the age of 82 years old.

Harold is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Kathleen Withers of Osakis; children, Tracy (Jenny) Withers of Savana GA, Terri (Ray) Williams of Eden Prairie, MN, and Trevor (Stephanie) Withers of Rigby, Idaho; 9 grandhchildren, Tyler Withers, Tyson (Camryn) Withers, Jillian Withers, Sarena (Drew) Luse, Rakella Williams, Robert Williams, Tabitha Williams, Emily Withers, and Austin Withers; his sister, Anita (Dean) Oeltjen of Villard, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wayne Withers, Lloyd Witherrs, and Bryan Withers, and his sister Dorothy Evert.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11 AM at Living Word Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota.

A visitation will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 5-7 PM at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis and then continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Interment will be in Nelson Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Roy Hetland Funeral Home of Osakis, Minnesota.