Harold W. Kolbe, 90, Pacific Junction
Harold “Hal” William Kolbe, age 90, of Pacific Junction, died April 24, 2009, at the Glen Haven Home in Glenwood. Celebration of life services and military honors were held Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the United Methodist Church in Pacific Junction. Pastor Mike Stevens officiated. Military Rites were provided by VFW Post No. 7064 of Tabor with Gordon Woodrow, Bugler. Private interment was in the Glenwood Cemetery.
The oldest of six children of Saraphine Emma (Welsand) and William Kolbe, he was born on Oct. 12, 1918, in Young, Saskatchewan, Canada. His family came to the United States from Canada in October of 1923. He grew up in Fairmount, N.D., where he graduated from high school. Fondly known as “Hal”, he continued his education by attending Wartburg College in Waverly, graduating in 1940 with his teaching degree. He attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and joined the United States Navy, serving his country from 1940 to 1947, as a communications officer, stationed in the South Pacific. Mr. Kolbe received his M.A. degree from San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif. in 1979.
On May 16, 1942, he married Lorraine Kizzier in Omaha, and their marriage was blessed with two children, William Lee and Deborah Ann.
He first taught and coached in Pacific Junction, and then in Beardsley, Minn. In 1950, they moved to Santa Cruz, Calif., where he began teaching at the Natural Bridges School. In 1964, he became principal of the school, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. He was a charter member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church and a member of the California School Administrators Association. He and his wife had been married 59 years when she died in 1998.
Mr. Kolbe married Flossie Marie (Powles) Robertson in Oahu, Hawaii on Oct. 20, 2003. They made their home near Pacific Junction, and his family grew to include his new wife’s children, Rodney, Duane and Debra.
Mr. Kolbe loved “living in the country” and enjoyed caring for his yard, sports, television, fishing, traveling and especially spending time with family and friends. He was an active member of the Pacific Junction United Methodist Church and was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. He especially enjoyed working with the Veterans of Post No. 7064 in Tabor. He was a member of the Military Retired Officers Association and a member of the Navy Fleet Reserve.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Lorraine; daughter Deborah Kolbe; brother Norman Kolbe; sisters, Viola Kolbe; and Vivian Bezenek; and stepson Rodney Robertson. He is survived by his wife of nearly six years, Flossie Robertson Kolbe of Pacific Junction; son William Kolbe of Sacramento, Calif.; brother Lowell of Wahpeton, N.D.; sister Vera Gilles of Desert Springs, Calif.; four grandchildren; stepchildren, Duane Robertson and wife Carol of Pacific Junction; and Debra Niimi and husband Alan of Universal City, Texas; step daughter-in-law Beth Robertson of Le Mars; eight step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Pacific Junction United Methodist Church or United Methodist Women. Hertz Funeral Home of Glenwood was in charge of arrangements.