Richard Dominic Harpenau

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the family for a cause to be decided at a later date. Please send to Rich Harpenau Family, at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument, P. O. Box 262, Remsen Iowa 51050.

Richard “Rich” Dominic Harpenau, 79 years old, of Remsen, Iowa passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Orange City Area Health System surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 3, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, Iowa with Father Timothy Pick officiating, Father Paul Eisele and Father Bill McCarthy concelebrating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa. Graveside Military Honors will be conducted by the VFW Post 3328 and American Legion Post 220 of Remsen. Visitation with family present will be 4-7p.m. on Sunday, there will be a Catholic Order of Foresters rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen. Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the funeral on Monday at the church.

He was born on March 22, 1942, to Henry and Mildred (Nilles) Harpenau in Le Mars, IA. He was raised in Remsen and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1960. He was enlisted in the Army National Guard of Iowa and discharged in July 1961. He then attended DeVry Technical School in Chicago, IL and after graduation worked in Sioux City and then owned Rich’s TV & Appliance Store and the Remsen Car Wash. He became an independent crop adjuster for Rain and Hail for over 25 years.

Rich married Pauline Theis on July 2, 1966, at Hospers, IA by Fr. Leo Harpenau and they resided in Remsen. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters, Plymouth County Zoning Board member and past member of the Knights of Columbus. Being a farmer was his passion from sunup to sundown raising hogs, cattle, and crops. He loved attending all his grandchildren’s activities and every moment spent with family. He enjoyed meeting new people & seeing the countryside while crop adjusting. He never passed up a cup of coffee!

He is survived by his spouse Pauline, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Cheri (Rod) Nitzschke of Remsen and their children Alicia (Alex) Hoffman (Levi, Maci & Nora), Aaron (fiancé Dalice and Traevyn). Kristi (Rod) Schiltz of Remsen and their children Tyler and Mitchell. Lee (Kara) Harpenau of Remsen and their children Hannah (fiancé David Grady), Dawson, Keaton, Sophia. Eric (Terra) Harpenau of Remsen and their children Taylor, Kylie, and Eli. Siblings: Clarence (Veronica) Harpenau of Remsen; Ervin Ahlers of Remsen; Rosemary (Denis) Schilmoeller of Granville, IA; Jim Gergeni of Le Mars, IA; Carol Harpenau & Linda Leonard of Omaha, NE; Ann (Larry) Galles of Remsen; brother-in-law Merlin (Maxine) Theis of Milford, IA; Mary Ann (Ken) Kunkel of Le Mars, IA; LeRoy (Barb) Theis of Sheldon, IA.

He will be welcomed home by his parents Henry and Mildred Harpenau; In-laws Anthony and Frances (Thole) Theis; granddaughter Emma Joy Harpenau; siblings and in-laws, Cloette (Darrel) Schroeder, JoAnn Ahlers, Jeanette Harpenau in infancy, Jim (Mary Lea Pick) Harpenau, Paul Harpenau and Mary Lou (Vondrak Harpenau) Gergeni, Jeannie Theis & several nieces and nephews.

Casket Bearers will be Alicia Hoffman, Aaron Nitzschke, Tyler Schiltz, Hannah Harpenau, Mitchell Schiltz, Dawson Harpenau, Taylor Harpenau, Keaton Harpenau, Kylie Harpenau, Eli Harpenau, Sophia Harpenau.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the family for a cause to be decided at a later date. Please send to Fisch Funeral Home & Monument, P. O. Box 262, Remsen Iowa 51050.