Harold Krogman, age 96

Harold Krogman

March 14, 1919 - Dec. 28, 2015
Harold Krogman, age 96, White River, S.D., passed away Dec. 28, 2015, at his home. 
Harold was a lifelong resident of Mellette County. He was born on the family homestead 10 miles north of White River on March 14, 1919, to Frank and Agnes “Macke” Krogman. He was the youngest of 15 children.
  Harold was taken out of the house by his father at the age of nine and told, “I don’t want to see you hanging around here anymore,” and so began the years of herding sheep. He attended school through the eighth grade. When asked why he didn’t attend high school, he replied “My dad told me he needed me to stay home and work.”
  Harold was drafted into the United States Army in 1941, four months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He went to Ft. Hancock, N.J., then to Ft. Monmouth where he was trained to do hand key Morse Code. He returned to Ft. Hancock as a Morse Code operator. He was discharged from the Army Dec. 5, 1945 while stationed in San Diego, Calif., and hitchhiked his way home to White River.
Harold’s first year out of the  Army was spent working for his brother, Louie, on the Webb place. Harold met Bessie Petr at the Pallmaters farm sale in 1946, and they were married Dec. 1, 1947, in Winner. They spent the first year living on the Louie Krogman ranch then returned to Bessie’s family homestead. Four children were born to this union, Harold Jr., Ed, Ben and Kristi.
Harold enjoyed fishing at home but his love of fishing also took him to the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the far reaches of northern Canada. In years past, he spent days horseback tracking bobcats, hunting coyotes or trailing coon with greyhounds or coon dogs at his side. Then came the dog box in the Ford pickup loaded with greyhounds off for a day of coyote hunting. As a youngster, he was well known for flushing out skunks and smelling like one! Harold was an avid rattlesnake trapper. He trapped hundreds, selling them to Reptile Gardens. He was Frontier Days rodeo chairman for 35 years.
Harold was a World War II veteran who always kept up on the news around the world. He was forever concerned about our country, the troops overseas and the economy. He was a member of the American Legion for 71 years. For all those who knew him, or came in contact with him, we know he was an elaborate storyteller who loved to share.
Grandpa Harold’s love for his entire family and his ranch life was exemplified every day of his life. His favorite times were those with all of his family gathered around. Harold lived a full life of always planning, always positive, and always persistent. When asked about his life, he replied, “I have no complaints. I’ve had a good life.”
Harold is survived by three sons, Harold (Gail) Krogman, Jr., Mission, Ed (Susan) Krogman, White River, and Ben (Wanda) Krogman, White River; a daughter, Kristi (Levi) Newbold, White River, 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Louise Paulson, Shelton, Wash. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie; parents, Frank and Agnes Krogman; brothers, John, Clem, Frank, Clarence, Louie, Bill and Lawrence Krogman; and sisters, Clara Adams, Lizzie Rassmussen, Pauline Stromer, Mary Walker, Kate Peterson and Annie Krogman.
Services were held Jan. 2, 2016, at the Community Events Center in White River with Pastor Keith Moody officiating
Interment was at the White River Cemetery in White River.
Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
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