Harold Leroy Totman

Harold Leroy “Totie” Totman was born to Valdi and Lois (Reynolds) Totman on April 5, 1921 in Pipestone, Minnesota where he was raised and received his education. In 1937, he entered the Civilian Conservation Corp and worked in the Winona and Zumbrota areas for three years. On February 24, 1941, he entered the U.S. Army National Guard, serving during World War II in the 147th Field Artillery. He was also the regimental bugler at Fort Ord, California. On October 15, 1944, he was united in marriage to Theresa Loretta Kline in Pipestone, Minnesota. Following his discharge from the Army on June 20, 1945, he returned to Pipestone where he was employed by Standard Oil of Indiana and worked at the A station. In November, 1947, he became employed for Jurgenson and Jones. In 1952, he moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming and worked for the Frontier Floor Company for a couple of years. He then became employed for the Civil Service U.S. Air Force Base in Cheyenne. In 1955, they moved back to Pipestone where he worked at Demrey Hardware Store and also did repairs for Surge Milkers through the hardware store. He then returned to work for Jones Furniture and Funeral Home until starting Totie’s Floor Covering in 1959. On December 5, 1959, he was united in marriage to Berdiena Warnke Serie at the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they resided in Pipestone where he continued to own Totie’s until his retirement on April 15, 1984. Berdiena preceded him in death on January 26, 2005. After her death, he continued to live in Pipestone. In March of 2021 he moved to Falls Landing in Pipestone. In November of 2022 he entered the care of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where he passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the age of 101.

Harold was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and for many years was a member at Zion Methodist Church. He was a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post #6, V.F.W., and the Military Order of the Cooties, serving as Post Commander in each. He was also a member of the D.A.V.S. and had lifetime memberships to all of these organizations. He was a member of the United Commercial Travelers, serving as past president. Harold also served as Deputy Sheriff for 75 years. Following his retirement, he enjoyed making lawn ornaments.

He is lovingly remembered by one daughter, Cyrina Lang of Wagoner, Oklahoma; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren and four great-great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Gerald Totman of Pipestone, Minnesota; and his sister, Ethlyn Mae Girard of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; two sons, Harold “Skip” Totman and Richard Totman; his granddaughter, Kathy Edwards; his brothers, Donald Totman, Earl Totman, and Robert Totman; and three sisters, Viola Kennedy, Cleo Steele and Dorothy Brockberg.