Harry Stuckenbroker

HARRY WILLIAM STUCKENBROKER was born on August 10, 1928, to John and Elizabeth (Peters) Stuckenbroker in Denver Township of Rock County, MN. He was raised there and attended country school nearby. After 8th grade graduation, to help his parents, Harry began working as a hired hand. Harry fell in love with his lifelong dance partner, Doris Van Leirsburg in Hardwick, MN at the Gem Dancehall. On November 13, 1948, they were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, MN. The couple went on to be blessed with 71 years together and 4 children. Harry continued to farm for the entirety of his career and retired in 2013, at the age of 85. He respected the guidance and knowledge that he received from his relationships with local farmers, which turned into lifelong friendships. Harry went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, MN at the age of 91 years, five months, and 18 days.
Harry was a man of faith. He was a member of St Leo’s Catholic Church, former member of St Joseph’s. He enjoyed playing pool and cards with the card club that played together for over 60 years. He was a fan of westerns; John Wayne was his favorite actor. He loved to learn about history and to keep up on news and current events as well. Throughout his life dancing always remained one of his favorite past times, especially the waltz. His children will always remember his dance lessons to the old time music at the dance hall or with the Lawrence Welk Show at home. Harry strongly believed that education was important. His family is proud of the fact that he was a self-made man. To his family Harry was a trusting, honorable, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. To others he was a humble and kind man of integrity who always kept his word. His sense of humor will surely be missed.
Harry is remembered by his loving wife, Doris; children, Linda (Mark) Paulson of Wadena, MN, Nancy (Randy) DeSchepper of New London, MN, Larry (Linda) Stuckenbroker of Windom, MN, and son-in-law Robert Van De Wiele of Warrensburg, MO; 12 grandchildren, Katie Blatt (Reggie Gray), Kristi (Elias) Cantu, Patrick (Mary Cait) Van De Wiele, Laura (Mike) Weber, Joe (Kim) Paulson, Francis (Megan) DeSchepper, Phillip DeSchepper (Jordana Allen), Josie DeSchepper, Jarrod (Heather) Stuckenbroker, Jessica (Kelsey) Fossing, Jaclyn (Jason) DeWall, and Jeff (Michelle) Stuckenbroker; 24 great-grandchildren: Eden, Vivian, Elliana, Ethan, Emma, Neely, Mary Clementine, Wyatt, Whitney, Jaden, Blake, Bethany, Anna, Joel, Grayson, Tavian, Xavian, Ciera, Elijah, Lydia, Olivia, Jorgia, Josianna, Josiah, and Baby Stuckenbroker due in April of 2020.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Van De Wiele; his parents, John and Elizabeth (Peters) Stuckenbroker; his parents-in-law Julius and Josephine (Wybouw) Van Leirsburg; his brothers, Alvin and Johnny; infant sister, Helen, his sisters and their husbands, Arlene and Elmer Sievert, Gladys and Jake Buss, Viola and Donald Schmuck, Judy Hawes; his siblings-in-law, Arthur and Dorothy Van Leirsburg, Lucille Fodness, Floyd Ross, Wally Melby. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Gusty Ross, Lorraine Melby, Helen Stuckenbroker; his brothers-in-law, Dale Hawes and Charles Fodness; and several nieces and nephews.