Harold R. Kuhlmann, 87, of rural Racine, Minnesota, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, on his farm while working with his sons.

Harold was born on Dec. 8, 1929, in Hazel, South Dakota to Ernest and Leona (Mischke) Kuhlman. He moved with his family as an eight-year-old. old to a farm in Pleasant Valley Township, Minnesota, where he attended District Schoolhouse 62, graduating from the eighth grade in 1943. He began farming with his family.

Harold served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 53, including duty overseas in Korea with a tank division during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge, he returned to the farm in Pleasant Valley Township. Harold was married on Aug. 14, 1955, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville, Minnesota, to Janice M. Hess. Following their marriage the couple moved to rural Racine where they  farmed for over 50 years, raised their family and continued to make their home. Mrs. Kuhlman died on Aug. 6, 2012.

Harold was  a longtime active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was active in it’s Mens Club, served as a trustee, was on the finance committee and helped on various building projects. He was a member of the Forte Milers Chorus for the past 27 years. Harold enjoyed helping Janice, who was a vendor at the Craftique Craft Shop in Stewartville where she sold wood crafts that he would cut for her and then she would handpaint. He was a prodigious vegetable gardener who thought 30 tomato plants were better than one or two and grew many variety of vegetables that he and his family canned and also shared with friends and neighbors. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking,  going to auctions and collecting old farm tools. He especially enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

Harold is survived by one daughter and three sons:  Robert (Mary) of Racine, Carolyn Kuhlman of Racine, David (Donna) of Racine, Duane Kuhlman of Racine; one granddaughter, Kristina (Aaron)  Laumann; one step grandson, Ben (Katrina) Wheeler-Floyd; one sister and two brothers, Walter(Joan) Kuhlman of rural Racine, Norma Meyer of Kenyon, Minnesota and Edward (Barb) Kuhlman of Northfield, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; and his son, Ronald; and his parents.

The funeral service for Harold, a longtime area farmer, will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6,  2017, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley, Minnesota, with the Rev. Collin Duling officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m.. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com