Harold R. Grunhovd, age 79, of Thompson, Iowa, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center, Iowa.

The funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with the Rev. Mark Decker officiating. Burial will be at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery in Vinje, Iowa. Military rites will be done by the Thompson V.F.W. Color Guard and Kiester American Legion Rifle Squad.

The visitation is from 5-7 p.m. today at Winter Funeral Home, 245 Harrison St., Thompson, Iowa, and one hour before the service at the church.

Harold Reuben Grunhovd was born March 29, 1924, on a farm near Joice, Iowa. He was the son of Helmer and Alpha (Peterson) Grunhovd. When Harold was four years old, his father died, and after raising her sons, his mother married Harvey Anderson. Harold spent his youth in Scarville, Iowa, was baptized and confirmed at Scarville Immanuel Lutheran Church by Rev. S. J. Fretheim, and graduated from Scarville High School in 1941.

Harold married Leonora (Tudy) Sunde on May 17, 1943. He entered the Army in May 1943 and was discharged in January 1946. He was in the European Theatre and served in the 789th division as an anti-aircraft gunner. When he returned from the war, he enrolled in Luther College and graduated on Aug. 18, 1951.

Harold began his 14-year teaching career in Scarville and then taught in Seneca, Ledyard and Sheffield where be was a math teacher and girls’ basketball coach. His second career was with Farm Bureau Insurance as a crop hail supervisor for 25 years. During this time, Harold and Tudy lived in Clear Lake, Iowa, and Mankato. In 1976 they moved back to Scarville where he was mayor for 12 years. His chicken gizzard dish was enjoyed in Scarville and the Legion Hall in Kiester.

After Harold retired in 1989, he and Tudy moved to Albert Lea and spent several winters in Surprise, Ariz. In April they moved to Thompson where Harold was cared for by his family. In August Harold became a resident of Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center where he passed away on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003.

Harold is survived by his wife, Leonora of Thompson; two daughters: Diane (Jim) Kozita of Thompson, and Linda (Steve) Peik of Oelwein, Iowa; five grandsons: Warren (Laurel) Kozita of River Falls, Wis., Chad (Amy) Kozita of Faribault, Matthew Peik and special friend Kim of Davenport, Iowa, Samuel Peik of Iowa City, Iowa, and Jared Kozita of Thompson; three great-grandchildren: Jackson, Emma and Phoebe Kozita; and step-sister, Annabelle (Harold) Knutson of Lake Mills, Iowa.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents: Helmer and Alpha; step-father, Harvey Anderson; infant brother, Robert Carlyle; brother, Adolph (Duffy) Grunhovd; infant grandson, Benjamin Claude Peik; and two step-brothers: Lester and Kermit Anderson.