Harold J. Schipper Sr.

MASON CITY: Harold J. Schipper Sr., 89, of Mason City, died Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Memorial services will be held 1:30 PM on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Avenue, with Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Harold J. Schipper Sr. Memorial Fund. Harold J. Schipper, Sr., son to Mike and Jennie Schipper, was born October 2, 1924, in Fulton, Illinois. He attended school there and later joined the United States Navy, as a Corpsman. He served in World War II and was primarily stationed in California. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and relocated his family to Iowa. Harold was united in marriage with Hjordis (Mortenson) Schipper on February 5, 1944, in San Diego, California. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Harold 'Skip' Schipper, Jr., Abigail Hansen, and Adam Schipper. Harold was a Jewel Tea salesman for 40 years, traveling all over North Iowa in his delivery truck, visiting his many loyal customers. He retired in 1985. Harold enjoyed several hobbies, including hunting and fishing, which took him out West as well as to Canada. He was a handyman extraordinaire who could fix anything. He enjoyed woodworking and maintaining his lawn, home and cars. He particularly loved to sit with a good cup of coffee and visit with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends, talking about the good old days. Harold is survived by his wife, Hjordis 'Dolly' Schipper of Mason City; children, Harold (Jan) Schipper, Jr. of Mason City, Abigail (Jeffrey) Hansen of Otranto, Iowa, and Adam Schipper of Mason City; his grandchildren, Heather (Mohammed Laaboudi) Hansen, Melissa (Jeff) Sneed, Jeremy (Christian Hartings) Hansen and Sarah Schipper; his great-grandchildren, Malik Hagood and Ismael Laaboudi; and many special nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Alvin Schipper; and sisters, Evelyn Griffin, Lois Dykstra, and Myrt Armstrong.