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Harold E. Wingerson, 91, passed away Tuesday, Sep 1, 2026, at Friendship Haven, Fort Dodge.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, Sep 3, 2026, at Gunderson Funeral Home, Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Friday, Sep 4, 2026, at Saint Olaf Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Union Cemetery, Humboldt, with military honors.
Harold was born March 30, 1935, in Pocahontas County, Iowa, the son of Jacob Clinton and Geraldine Rosamont (Keller) Wingerson. He attended schools in Rolfe, Pioneer, and Gilmore City, graduating from Gilmore City High School in 1953. During high school, Harold played both offense and defense on the football team and was a member of the conference championship team his senior year. He was also honored as Senior High School Homecoming King.
Following high school, Harold briefly worked in construction in Fort Dodge before answering a call to serve his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 31, 1953. After completing recruit training at San Diego and combat training at Camp Pendleton, California, he attended Sea School and was assigned to the USS Hancock (CVA-19). During his service aboard the Hancock, he traveled throughout the Pacific, making port calls in Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and other locations.
Although his active-duty Marine service ended in 1956, Harold's commitment to military service continued for decades. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserves and later served in the Army National Guard from 1974 to 1981 and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1981 until 1995. His military service was a source of great pride throughout his life. He was a member of the 4th Army Rifle Team and participated in competitive shooting throughout several states. In 1990, his team won the All-Army Match at Fort Benning, Georgia. After a total of 29 years of military service, Harold retired with the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8).
Service to his country was more than a chapter in Harold's life; it remained an important part of the man he was and something he carried with him throughout the years.
Following his active-duty Marine service, Harold worked at Cargill's in Fort Dodge from 1956 to 1959 before beginning a 30-year career with Hormel's. Following the closing of the Fort Dodge plant in 1982, he continued his employment with Hormel's in Fremont, Nebraska, retiring in 1989.
On July 20, 1957, Harold married Gail Roberta Wardell in Charles City, Iowa. They were blessed with four children, Tammy Jean, Terry Eugene, Tracy Dean, and Tim Gene. The couple later divorced. On November 19, 1994, Harold married Marilyn (Nelson) Snell at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. Harold joined St. Olaf Lutheran Church in 1995.
Harold will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his quiet pride in his military service, and the commitment he showed to the things that mattered most to him. Whether serving his country, competing with the Army Rifle Team, providing for his family, or participating in his church and community, Harold approached life with dedication and perseverance.
He is survived by his children; Tammy (Bob) Coiner, Terry (Barb) Wingerson, Tracy Wingerson; ten grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn Wingerson; son, Tim Wingerson; three brothers and three sisters.