Harold Eugene Woodke, 87, of Sac City, Iowa, formerly of Nemaha, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at Park View Care Center in Sac City.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 6th, at the United Methodist Church in Nemaha. Burial will be at the Early Union Cemetery with military graveside rites by the Schaller V.F.W. Post. No. 4707.

Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.

Harold was born June 16, 1921, in Eden Township, rural Schaller, Iowa, the son of George C. and Nina Mae (McLaughlin) Woodke. He graduated from Schaller High School in 1939.

On July 29, 1942 Harold was united in marriage to Edith Carolyn Rutledge at her parent’s home in Early. To this union five children were born: Marilyn, Carolyn, Mary, Doris, and Robert.

He enlisted in the United States Army September 22, 1942, serving in the Army Air Force, 321st Bomb Squadron. Some of the campaigns he served in included: Air Offensive Japan, China, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, Luzon, and Western Pacific. He was awarded the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with six Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, along with two Overseas Service Bars, and World War II Victory Medal after completing his duty November 13, 1945, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He again served his country during the Korean Conflict from August 22, 1950 through August 21, 1951, in the 2595th Maintenance and Support Squadron.

Through the years Harold worked as a mechanic; drove truck (owner/operator); did custom feed grinding; worked as a janitor at the Nemaha School until the mid 1970’s; and operated a maintainer for the Sac County Secondary Roads Department before retiring in 1984.

Harold was a member of the United Methodist Church in Nemaha and a lifetime member of the Schaller V.F.W. Post No. 4707. He was on the town council and fire department in Early, Mayor of Nemaha for many years and town council member.

Harold was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He cherished his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he adored. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Carolyn; daughters: Marilyn (Orville) Lewis of Terril, IA, Mary (Timothy) Sargent of Kimballton, IA, and Doris Dreessen of New Market, MN; son Robert (Sherry) Woodke of Ames, IA; grandchildren: Marshall (Kim) Lewis of Callender, IA, Matthew (Kiersten) Lewis of Orange Park, FL, Rhonda Stanley of Atlantic, IA, Wendy (Dale) Kirby of Pleasantville, IA, Michael Shannon of Nemaha, Joseph Shannon of Denison, IA, Jason Dreessen of Ashville, NC, Heather (Roger) Mahan of Pistoia, Italy, John Woodke and Maisie Woodke both of Ames, Joseph (Erica) Burnsworth of Pittsburgh, PA, Thomas Burnsworth of Clairton, PA, and Chad Burnsworth of Pleasant Hills, PA; and 18 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his brothers-in-law: Delbert Lorenzen of Sac City and Perry (Joyce) Rutledge of Adel, IA; and sisters-in-law: Phrona Johnson of Odebolt and Kathryn Carlson of York, NE; extended family members; and many friends.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter Carolyn; brother Willard; sister Elaine Lorenzen; and brother-in-law Robert Rutledge.