Harold Wayne Sommerfeld, 87, of Clam Falls, passed away on Feb. 19, 2024,
at home in the house he built, surrounded by his loving family.
Harold was born in Dewey township, Hertel, Wisconsin, to Leopold and Rosetta (Scott) Sommerfeld on April 25, 1936. He went to school at the Coomer grade school and went to Siren High School. He married Virginia Magnuson, his loving wife of 65 years, on Dec. 30, 1958, in Pine City, Minnesota.
Harold had a variety of skills and a great sense of humor. He worked as a semi driver for Anderson brothers, for Penta Wood Products of Siren, and propane delivery and serviceman for Home Gas company in Frederic. He and Virginia bought their first farm in 1965 in the Indian Creek area. In addition to starting their dairy farming they also started a cattle trucking business and hauled livestock to South St. Paul. They bought their second farm, also in the Indian Creek area, in 1970. In 1987 he drove his own semi over the road until he started his business hauling logs with a clam trailer. He continued farming and driving truck into his 80s. He was a veteran and served in Korea. His duties in the Army included driver of a fuel transport semi, driver’s license examiner and instructor, and bus driver.
He was the Lorain township chairman for 14 years. He founded the Lorain Fire Department in 1982. He was active in his kids’ various activities, including coaching the Indian Creek 4-H softball team, and the Polk County Fair. He was a member of Clam Falls Lutheran Church.
Harold saw many changes in farming equipment in his life. He farmed when he was a teenager using his parents’ team of horses. He bought his first tractor in 1957, an ‘A’ John Deere with 26 horsepower, and updated to a more luxury tractor, an 8650 with 300 horsepower. His interest in tractors went beyond farming and he enjoyed watching and competing in many tractor pulls. He enjoyed sharing this hobby with his kids and grandkids. For fun he rebuilt a 1956 Ford pickup that he drove in parades while throwing out candy. Fishing, hunting, canoeing and camping were ways Harold showed his love of nature and made them fun family and friend activities. Family was important to him. He and Virginia also loved dancing including square dancing. He enjoyed taking family trips and ventured as far as Kenya, Africa and Sweden. One of his accomplishments was building their house. It is made of 13 kinds of wood that he logged and sawed on their property.
Harold is survived by his wife, Virginia; children, Jerry (Laurie) Sommerfeld, Carol (Dave) Haglund, Bryan (Beth) Sommerfeld and Lynn (Allen) Riley; brother, Ted (Donna) Sommerfeld; grandchildren, Amber Huskinson, Brenda (Aaron) Martin, Sarah Haglund, Krista (Austin) Flanders, Kailee (Aaron) Linton, Kelsie Sommerfeld, Kristie (Adam) Schwab, Kole Sommerfeld and Brandon Riley; great-grandchildren, Holden Huskinson, Cali Martin, Charlee Sommerfeld, William Linton, Margaret Linton and Greta Schwab; and sisters in-law, Amber Sommerfeld, Joanne Sommerfeld and Myrna Magnuson.
Harold was preceded in death by parents, Leopold and Rosetta Sommerfeld; brothers, Alfred, Raymond (Brenda) and Marvin Sommerfeld; grandson, Kevin Sommerfeld; mother-in-law and father in-law, Harold and Agnes Magnuson; and brother-in-law, Manville Magnuson.
The family of Harold Sommerfeld wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses of St. Croix Hospice, Frederic and Lorain first responders, Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Clam Falls Lutheran Church congregation and to the many people who have supported our family with many prayers and thoughts.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, March 3, from 2-5 p.m., at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster. The funeral will be held on Monday, March 4, at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at Clam Falls Lutheran Church in Frederic, Wisconsin, 3380 65th St. A luncheon will be served after the service. Harold will be laid to rest at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, Wisconsin.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
