Harold Yale, Jr.
Aug. 22, 1923 - May 8, 2011

BURLINGTON - Harold Franklin “Sonny” Yale, Jr., 87, Minot, formerly of rural Mohall, died Sunday, May 8, 2011, at Trinity Homes, Minot.

Sonny was born Aug. 22, 1923, near Tolley to Harold, Sr. and Jennie (Schelling) Yale.  He was raised in Grassland Township, Renville County, and attended school at Grassland School and in Tolley.  He started farming in Grassland Township with his dad around 1940.

Harold married Clarice “Tess” Hedberg on Dec. 9, 1944.  In addition to farming, he planted trees for the Soil Conservation Service in the early 1960s, worked at the Mohall Farmers Union in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and also operated a water hauling business in the late 1970s and 1980s delivering water to homes and farmsteads throughout much of Renville County. 

He drove school bus for Mohall Public School for over 20 years, as well as the activity bus for countless football and basketball games.  Sonny was an excellent welder and was always willing to share this skill by helping out his farming neighbors with their equipment repairs.

He retired from farming in 2007.  Due to his failing health, he and Tess left the farm and moved to The View, in Minot.  He entered Trinity Homes in January of 2009.

Harold was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Greene, Hamerly Lutheran Church, rural Sherwood, and Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tolley.  He didn’t make much time for hobbies, but every fall for many years, he enjoyed deer hunting and scaring ducks and geese off his cropland.  For several winters, he participated in a bowling league in Mohall.  He liked driving snowmobiles really fast on snowmobile adventures.  Sonny always had a warm smile and a booming voice that could make even a single encounter with him unforgettable.  For all those who knew and loved Sonny, we’re all now missing one bright ray of sunshine in our lives.

Family:  Sonny is survived by his wife, Tess, Minot; children, Roger, rural Tolley; Rodney “Rocky” (Cindy), Burlington; Kevin (Renae), Berthold; Kim (Marilyn), Gilbert, Ariz.; Greg (Robin), Beulah; Rhonda (Jim) Holsten, Mohall; 15 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren; sisters, Helen (Leroy) Hedberg, Carpio; and Frances (Voyle) Triplett, Minot; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward; daughter-in-law, Marjorie (McCarroll) Yale, and a stillborn son, Gary.

Funeral: Friday, May 13, at 2 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church, Burlington.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.

Family Service:  Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials:  Preferred to the Mohall or Tolley Ambulance services, or Trinity Homes, Minot.

Visitation: Thursday, 2 to 7 p.m. at Brose Funeral Home, Mohall.  Friends may also sign the online guestbook at (www.brosefuneralhome.com), or at facebook.com/Brose Funeral Home.

Sign the Online Guestbook

View the Harold Yale memorial folder  (These links will open in a new window)
Yale folder outside
Yale folder inside
Yale folder insert

Return to Obituaries