Loren Harste

Loren Harste, age 83, of Morris, formerly of the Appleton area, died Friday, October 13th in the St. Cloud Hospital.  Funeral services were held Friday, October 20th at 10:30 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church – Shible Township.  Pastors Donald Klatt and Kenneth Harste officiated.  Burial followed in the church cemetery. 
Loren William Harste was born on March 23, 1934 to Karl F and Hannah (Behrens) Harste in Shible Township, Swift County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shible, where he attended parochial school through the 8th grade. In 1952, he graduated from Appleton High School.
It was at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shible Township, that Loren met Donna Mae Lydia Stock, their relationship grew as they participated together in church activities including Walther League and choir. On September 14, 1957, he married Donna at Immanuel Shible. Shortly after their marriage they moved briefly to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where Loren served full-time in the National Guard. In 1958, they returned to his home farm in Shible Township, north of Appleton, where they took over the family farm. Loren grew the farm, raising livestock until the late 1970s, grain farming full-time until the mid 1980s and part-time until the late 1990’s. The farm provided Loren and Donna a great place to raise their four children and eleven grandchildren. Together, they found great joy in sharing their lives, spending time with family & friends and traveling around the country and even other parts of the world. Loren and Donna were blessed with 40 years of marriage until Donna’s death in January 1998.
Loren was always known as a progressive farmer with keen interest in conservation of soil and water.  Loren’s interest in soil and water conservation led to roles on the Upper Minnesota River Watershed District Board for more than 45 years. He was appointed to the inaugural Board of Soil and Water Resources for the State of Minnesota, serving from 1987 to 1992. During his years of farming, he served as assessor for several townships, and in 1986, Loren began working full time as the Assistant County Assessor for Swift County.   He later became the Swift County Assessor and served until his retirement on April 1, 2000.
Loren was a faithful lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shible Township, where he served as an elder, member of the choir, Sunday School Superintendent and on many boards. He served as district manager for the Lutheran Layman's League and as a member of other regional church boards. Loren was active in several community organizations including serving as president of the Appleton Jaycees and as a 4-H adult leader.
In August of 2003, Loren married Phyllis (Thielke) Gades. Loren cherished the fourteen years that they shared and the children and grandchildren it added to his life. Together they created an active lifestyle visiting their children around the country and participating in their church activities in Fairfield and Shible townships.  Together, Loren and Phyllis were able to continue serving the Lutheran Laymen’s League, the Orphan Grain Train and participate in civic functions in the area.
Loren was a loving husband and father who raised his family to have a strong love for Jesus. He reflected the redemption he received by faith in everything he did, teaching with gentle wisdom and guiding discipline. Many would come to seek his wisdom. Loren was known as an innovative craftsman, first with metal in his farm shop, and later with wood projects from his workshop where he created gifts for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his many stories, his recall of family history, and for his jokes. He enjoyed traveling, especially with cherished friends Orville and Darlene Koosmann.
Surviving Loren are his wife, Phyllis Harste of Morris; children: Rev. Kenneth (Joanne) Harste of Big Lake, Bonnie (Michael) Giese of Tulsa, OK, Dion (Teriann) Harste of Glenwood and Lynelle (Peter) Dahl of Appleton; grandchildren: Tara (Scott) Palmer, Rev. Russell (Jen) Peterson, Elena (Matt) Reicher, Josh (Michelle) Harste, Jacob Harste, Sean (Caitlynn) Giese, Levi Giese, Jessica (Bryce) Jennings, Alex Harste, Emily Harste and Cole Harste; great grandchildren: Bailey and Ethan Palmer, Isaiah Peterson, Zachary, Benjamin and Madelyn Reicher, Elijah and Maxwell Harste; step children; Susan (Dr. James) Kaiser of East Africa, Jeanette (Rev. David) Meggers of St. Louis, MO, James (LuAnn) Gades of Wolverton, and David (Dawn) Gades of Holloway; step-grandchildren: Micah (Rachel) Kaiser, Andy (Lara) Kaiser, Joel Kaiser, Phillip (Rebecca) Meggers, Kristina (Nate) Paul, Jacob Gades, Jordan (Samarah) Gades, Adam (Lindsay) Gades, Josh (Danielle) Gades, Nathan (Nicole) Gades and Courtney Gades; 13 step-greatgrandchildren; brother, Dr. Jerome (Janice) Harste of Bloomington, Indiana; sisters-in-law: Fay Harste and Clarice Stock of Appleton, LaDonna Stock of Clara City; and many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Mae; sisters: Eileen Kleven, Ramona Engebretson; brother, James Harste; brothers-in-law: Leonard Stock, Lawrence Stock and Virgil Stock; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Hans and Gladys Schmidt.
Loren is already missed and his legacy continues to bless his family and friends.  Blessed be the memory of Loren Harste.
Arrangements with Zniewski Funeral Home –Vaala Chapel in Appletonwww.zniewskifuneralhome.com