Harold Bargmann

Harold John Bargmann, 93 of Bremen, KS, was called home to his heavenly father July 20, 2023, surrounded by family.

Visitation was Saturday, July 22, from 4 to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

A funeral service was held Sunday, July 23, at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, north-east of Bremen. Rev. Aaron T. Fenker, Sr., officiated. Bev Crome played the organ while the congregation sang “Let Me Be Thine Forever”, “How Great Thou Art” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Pallbearers were grandsons, Zachary Brackett and Chris Bargmann; grandsons-in-law, Nathan Siemans and Bailey Lonnberg; nephews and godsons, Nathan Bargmann and Dwight Ohlde; nephew, Matthew Bargmann; and godson, Andy Kibble.

Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters, Jennifer Easterly, Shelby Siemans, Ashley Lonnberg, Natalie Boyer, and Kylie Boyer; granddaughters-in-law, Nina Brackett and Baleigh Bargmann; grandson-in-law, Kyle Easterly; and godsons, Patrick Ohlde, Corey Ekstrum, Chris Valeka, and Jarrod Valeka.

Burial was in the church cemetery.

Harold was born December 19, 1929, on the family homestead outside of Bremen, KS to Friedrich and Martha (Rickers) Bargmann. He was baptized December 29, 1929, and confirmed on April 18, 1943, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Bremen by Reverend A. C. Traugott.

Harold attended Immanuel Lutheran School and completed a radio and television repair correspondence course before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955. Serving two years, Harold was a PFC (E3) in the Army Military Assistance Advisory Group of the Signal Corps until his discharge in 1957. The 823 Campaign Badge of Honor was awarded to Harold in Kansas City on October 10, 2003, by the Republic of China/Taiwan and the United States. This medal is in recognition of Harold’s service to the free Chinese of the Republic of China/Taiwan and in defense of their homeland from the Chinese communist regime.

On August 3, 1958, he was married to Loretta E. Ohlde at St John’s Lutheran Church by Reverend Geo Lehenbauer. Harold was a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he served as school elder, church trustee, and on the finance board. Harold was the third generation to operate the family dairy, expanding it in 1961 by building one of the first Grade A dairy barns in the area; operating it for the next 34 years. After retiring from dairying, he began carpentry work with Curtis Melcher for several years, and was assistant pie baker to Loretta for his final career.

Harold loved to travel and tell anyone he met about his adventures. He and Loretta had the opportunity to travel across the country and Germany, where he was able to visit the Bargmann ancestral farm. His travels also included trips to South Africa and Belize with his best friend Milford Drinkgern. Traveling allowed Harold to expand his passion for foreign languages, using his language skills to break the ice with anyone he met. After amazing people with his language skills, he would quickly follow with stories of his ability to witch for water and graves. He was never one to miss a game of pinochle.

Harold will be remembered as a strong man of faith with many talents, who would embrace anyone as family and beamed with pride for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Loretta, on November 11, 2021; children, Jan (1969), Jon (1975), and Larry (1989); brother, Wilmer Bargmann; brothers-in-law, Norbert Ohlde, Leonard Ohlde, and Lyle Ohlde; sisters-in-law, Loretta D. Bargmann and Belinda Ohlde; and nephew, Warren Ohlde.

Survivors include his sons, Lynn (Shelly) Bargmann of Bremen and Daniel (Kelley) Bargmann of Brighton, CO; daughters, Lori (John) Brackett of Marysville and Becky (Travis) Boyer of Filley, NE; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marilynne Ohlde of Linn and Ronda Ohlde of Palmer; embraced family, Andy (Brittany) Kibble; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary.