Harry W. Hacker

Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton, Iowa. Celebrant was Reverend Father Dale Reiff. Eucharistic Ministers and Gift Bearers were Joea and Donna Kemper and Audrey Siepker. Music was provided by the Sacred Heart Men's Choir, Katie Klocke on violin, and Leonette Irlbeck as organist. Casketbearers were Kevin Wieland, Jay Poessnecker, Marcus Kelberlau, Chris Thurman, Mike Thurman, and Jesse Hacker. Honorary Casketbearers were Bernard Wieland, Merlyn Zubrod, Don Zubrod, Gerald "Doc" Schreck, Vernice "Sprig" Sporrer, Merlin "Mox" Irlmeier, Gene Miskimins, Leroy Balk, Duane Spieker, and Don Irlmeier. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton, Iowa with Military Honors provided by American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517.

Harry William, son of William and Selma (Friedrichsen) Hacker, was born January 16, 1927, on the Hacker family farm near Templeton, Iowa. He attended country school and Sacred Heart School in Templeton before starting to work on the family farm.

In September of 1950 Harry was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Austria and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1952. Harry returned to the family farm where he farmed until his retirement in 1977. He continued to live on the farm and raised poultry. On June 19, 1998, Harry was united in marriage with Evelyn (Wiskus) Hacker at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton by Father Snyder. They made their home on the Hacker farm.

Harry was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Templeton, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in Manning, and, for 21 years, the Carroll County Conservation Board. In his spare time, he enjoyed building bird houses and attending auctions, sales and swap meets. He also enjoyed fishing. Above all he was happiest when surrounded by his family.

Harry suffered an attack while having lunch with friends and died at the Corner Station near Templeton on Saturday, May 19, 2007. He was 80 years, 4 months and 3 days of age.

Preceding Harry in death are his parents; brothers Robert and Delmus Hacker; nephew Denny Hacker; and parents-in-law Louis and Irene Wiskus.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn Hacker of Templeton and her family that Harry treated as his own: four children Denise Hansen of Fremont, NE; Robert Hacker of Dakota City, Nebraska; Brenda Thurman (Rob) of Nickerson, Nebraska; and Kevin Hacker (Annette) of Pleasant Hill; 12 grandchildren: Kristi Hansen; Melissa Poessnecker; Mindy Kelberlau; Jeff, Jennifer and Emily Hacker; Robbie, Jonn, Chris and Mike Thurman; and Logan and Lane Hacker; 9 great-grandchildren: Malorie, Dawson and Jarrett Poessnecker; Dalton Kelberlau; Meaghan, Jennifer and Zach Carson; and Addison and Sienna Thurman; two aunts Effie Christensen of Manning and Eunice Friedrichsen of Denison; sisters-in-law Rose Hacker of Manning; Jolene Hansen (Elmo) of Boone; and Bonnie Hampel of Edina, Minnesota; nieces and nephews Nancy Grimm (Curt) of Aspinwall; Daryl Hacker (Marcia) Hacker of Gray; Rhonda Anthofer (Danny) of Audubon; Donna Kemper (Joea) of Templeton; and Jenny Hacker of Audubon; great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Ohde Funeral Home in Manning was in charge of arrangements.