Willmar Harbarth, 82, of Hutchinson
Willmar
Harbarth
Willmar G. Harbarth, 82, of Hutchinson, died peacefully with his family at his side on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with the Rev. Kevin Oster officiating. Burial was in the High Island Cemetery in New Auburn.
Willmar Gerhart Harbarth was born Nov. 8, 1933, in Brownton, to Gerhart and Hilda (Lindeman) Harbarth. He was baptized on Nov. 19, 1933, by the Rev. Ehrhardt Diemer, and was confirmed in his faith on April 25, 1948, by the Rev. J.H. Kolberg, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Penn Township.
He was united in marriage to El Donna Schultz on Jan. 28, 1959, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1962 in Korea. The Harbarths were blessed with three children, whom they raised together on the farm near Brownton, where he worked as a dedicated farmer. He retired from farming in 1991 and moved to Glencoe, where he served many years as the caretaker of the Glencoe City Cemetery. He eventually moved to Hutchinson, where he lived the rest of his life.
He enjoyed the outdoors, especially time on the lake fishing. He also liked listening to old-time music and would often play his concertina for his own enjoyment. What he loved most in life was his family, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
He is survived by his wife, El Donna Harbarth of Hutchinson; daughters, Lori (Ronald) Pagel of Dassel and Wendy (Peter) Ruschmeier of Glencoe; grandchildren, Eric (Trinity) Pagel of Winthrop, Chelse (Andrew) Pagel-Krause of Winnebago and Zoe Ruschmeier of Glencoe; and great-grandchildren, Caden, Avery and Makenna Krause and Shylah Pagel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Jesse Harbarth.
Arrangements were with the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. Online condolences and guest book are available at www.mvfh.
org.
