Harold Kermit Buck

Harold Buck, 97, of Hayfield, MN passed away at Field Crest Care Center on May 25, 2024, with his family by his side.

Harold was born February 3, 1927, delivered by Dr. Baker, in the house he lived in for 97 years. He farmed his entire life until health problems began in late 2023. Harold attended Grade School District #72 from 1933-1941. He then attended Hayfield High School from 1941-1945 and graduated with honors from both schools. He did a lot of custom work for neighbors, windrowing, bailing, and combining. When he was 15 years old, he lost 3 fingers in a corn picker accident in 1942. Despite the incident, Harold continued to farm for the next 81 years.

Harold lived on the family farm with his parents Hans and Hilda (Paape) Buck, and his brother and sister, Harlan Buck and Hazel (Buck) Steward. They all had their job doing chores and helping with the yard and field work.

Harold loved going on vacations, fishing trips, to the Minnesota State Fair, and rural youth gatherings with his friends he grew up with. Harold also enjoyed sports. He liked watching baseball, football, and golf. He was a big fan of the Twins and Vikings. When he passed, the Twins game was on the TV. He spent many days golfing at the Oaks Golf Course and was a lifelong member on the board at the course. His favorite music was old time music at the Terp ballroom and the fiddlers at the Hayfield Town Hall.

Harold served on the Hayfield Township Board for 42 years, taking the place of his father when he passed in 1979. Harold was the Dodge County Township Treasurer for 37 years. He served on the Fire Association Board, was a member of the Hayfield Ambulance Association as well. Harold was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for all 97 years of his life. He was baptized at Trinity in 1927 and served on the church board for many years.

Harold was an expert in geography and history. Up until his last breath, he could tell you everything about his life since he was a kid. He met and shook hands with four United States Presidents in his lifetime, Franklin D Roosevelt, Dwight D Eisenhower, Gerald R Ford, and Richard Nixon. Harold always had a farm dog riding to town with him in his pickup truck. Freckles, his latest dog, was always ready to jump in the truck when she heard it start. Harold had a lot of farm animals throughout his lifetime, including, chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, horses, pigs, and cattle. Harold was a John Deere tractor man and always wore his John Deere cap. He loved farm life.

Harold is survived by his brother, Harlan and sister-in-law, JoAnn (Ziemer) Buck; his sister, Hazel (Buck) and brother-in-law, Eugene Steward; his five nephews and nieces, Steven, Susan, Carol, Robert, and Kathryn; one great nephew, Reilly; one great niece, Kristyn, and one great-great niece, Kiera. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Hilda (Paape) Buck who passed away in 1979 and 2005, respectively.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd Street NW in Hayfield and one hour prior to the service at church. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 1st Street SE in Hayfield. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield, MN.

Harold requested memorials made to a humane society of your choice, Trinity Lutheran Church and Fairview Cemetery.

To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 2nd Street NW, Hayfield, MN (507) 477-2259.  Blessed be his memory.