Harold Bert Niichel

Harold Niichel, age 93 of Granville, IA, passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the Orange City Area Health Systems in Orange City, IA.

Funeral Service will be 1 p.m. Monday, May 9, 2022 at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen, IA with Father Daniel Greving officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Granville, IA.  Visitation with family present will be 12 p.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home.

Harold was born March 16, 1929 to John and Ann (Schnurr) Niichel of Granville. 

On May 26, 1953, he married Phyllis Smith at Granville. The couple farmed near Granville their entire life. Harold’s love of IH tractors led to the start of his own machinery sales business starting in the 1970s, which grew with the help of his son Alan, up until his passing. Phyllis passed away Aug. 11, 2013.

He was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church.  He enjoyed going to auctions, tractor pulls, fishing, watching Nascar races, playing cards with family, and spending time with his many beloved pets.

He will be lovingly remembered by his three children: Alan Niichel of Granville, IA, Debra (Paul) Schmidt of Granville, IA, and Lori Niichel and partner Chad Heggen of Joice, IA; eight grandchildren: Marylynn Saldivar of Brownsville, TX, Wendy (Jon) Heie of Brooklyn Park, MN, Rick Gergen of DeSoto, WI, Mikayla Schmidt of Brooklyn Park, MN, Kenny Doughty of Sheldon, IA, Eric (Niki) Doughty of Hartley, IA, Holly Doughty of Marcus, IA, and Tara Doughty of North Liberty, IA; eight great-grandchildren: Madeline and Jake Heie, Chloe and Aspen Gergen, Kendal, Mason, and Bentley Doughty, and Adeline Tentinger; One sister: Geraldine Rabel of Spencer, IA and one sister-in-law: Pat Niichel of Granville, IA; one brother-in-law, Alvin “Ab” Smith of Marcus, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Phyllis, one brother, Danny Niichel, one grandson, Nicholas Gergen, and one infant great-grandson, Carter Koontz, one brother-in-law, Wilber Rabel.

Pallbearers will be: Rick Gergen, Eric Doughty, Jonathan Heie, Jake Heie, Jerry Niichel, and Russ Schwebach.