Harold W. Aeilts

Rock Rapids, Iowa Harold W. Aeilts, age 80 of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 06, 2013 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Marcia Sangel, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be Monday, February 11th from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Harold Wayne Aeilts was born November 14, 1932 in Lyon County to Richard and Hattie (Van Briesen) Aeilts. He was raised in Lyon County and attended Lyon County Country Schools and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1950. He worked during his high school years at Doss Food Market after school and on weekends. Harold entered the United States Army in February of 1953 and served until 1955. He took basic training in Ft. Sill, OK and then was stationed in Germany for the remainder of his time in the military. He served in the C Battery 599 Field Artillery Battalion. On May 5, 1957 he was united in marriage to Jane Gruver at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids. He farmed with his father until his marriage then became self employed as a farmer. For the first year the young couple made their home in an apartment in Rock Rapids before moving to a farm east of Rock Rapids from 1958 until 1962. From 1962 until 1994 Harold and Jane lived on the family farm. During many of those years he also owned and ran a corn sheller. In 1994 they then moved to town and into their home at 503 S. Bradley St. in Rock Rapids. After retirement Harold worked for area farmers driving tractor and also did lawn mowing and snow removal. Harold was a member of the American Legion Post #103 and VFW in Rock Rapids. He was a faithful member of the Military Rites and Funeral Squad in Rock Rapids for many years honoring his fellow veterans at the time of their deaths. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids. Harold liked to travel. He and Jane made many trips together. He also enjoyed attending his military reunions. He also liked to fix things, especially his machinery and equipment and was always very inventive in the ways he did things. This past Wednesday, Harold passed away unexpectedly at Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Jane Aeilts; daughters, Sandra (Jon) Carse of La Grange, GA; and Sarah (Scott) Hilderbrand of Swampscott, MA; grandchildren, Adam (Courtney) Carse of Columbus, GA; Zoe Hilderbrand of Swampscott, MA; and Henry Hilderbrand of Swampscott, MA; brother, Elmer (Darlene) Aeilts of Rock Rapids, IA, and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Hattie Aeilts; infant daughter, Kathy Sue; infant sister, Marian Aeilts; sister, Luetta Aeilts; brother, Raymond Aeilts and sister, Dolores Hoogeveen.