Harold Paul Kick

Harold P. Kick of Pine City was born on May 6, 1924 on the family farm west of Pine City to George E. and Therese M. (Engler) Kick. He attended Pine City schools through graduation. Harold enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps.  After much training he became a fighter pilot with the 325th Fighter Group out of Florida. In August of 1944 he read his orders to ship out overseas. He eventually was assigned to the 318th Fighter Squadron out of Lessina Airfield, Italy. At that time he was given the privilege to choose his aircraft. He chose #69, a P-51B Mustang, which his crew chief later named “Chinese Laundry”. Harold reached 50 missions and was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross and separated in the summer of 1945; returning home to Pine City, MN. He secured employment with the U.S. Postal Service in Pine City until 1971 when he accepted a position as a Rural Carrier out of Markville, MN which he continued until May of 1979 when he retired at the age of 55. Shortly after returning from the service, Harold met Phyllis Swanson. They were married on August 4, 1951. They were blessed with two children Becky (Stephen) Hallan and Brian. In 1953, Harold began building his first home located across the road from the family farm. In 1966, he purchased land from his dad and built house number two. When his children were grown he and Phyllis built their retirement home also located on part of the family farm. Harold was very community oriented.  He believed in youth education and giving back to the community by volunteering as a firearms safety instructor for 50 years and a 4-H leader for many years.  In 1993 Harold was awarded Citizen of the Year for Pine City.  Harold was also named the Pine County Senior Citizen of the year in 2000.  He was a very humble man, feeling these awards were not deserved. He was actively involved with the St. Croix Valley Conservation Club serving as president and was responsible for the display in their building at the Pine County fair for many years. Harold was also a member of the Heath-Perkins American Legion Post 51 and member and past Post Commander of Novak-Milliren V.F.W. Post #4258 in Pine City. Harold resided at his home until July 2014. After a short hospitalization he was moved to Lakeside Medical Center for rehab where he died on Friday July 25, 2014 at the age of 90 years. Harold is survived by his wife Phyllis of 63 years, his children Becky (Stephen) Hallan of Pine City and Brian of Powell, Wyoming, grandchildren Christopher (Rachel) Hallan of Pine City and Heather (Tony) Rank of Pine City, great grandchildren Nikki and Jennavieve Hallan and T.J. Rank, his brother Clark (Anda) Kick of Pine City, sisters-in-law Irene Kick and Genevieve Kick of Pine City and Vivian Kick of Center City; brother-in-law Bayliss (Margery) Swanson of Pine City. Harold is preceded in death by his parents George & Therese (Engler) Kick, brothers: Carl, Waldo, Robert, Glen and William, and sisters: Caroline Stoeffel, Margaret Peterson and Florence Hoefler. A memorial service will be held; 11:00 a.m. Thursday (July 31, 2014) at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Vicki VanderVegt officiating.  Music will be provided by Doug Berglund, Mark Osterdyk, Gary Hawkinson and Adrienne Roubinek. His urn bearer will be great grandson T.J. Rank with inurnment including military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Pine City American Legion, VFW and MN National Guard. A time of visitation is planned for Wednesday evening from 4-7 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran.  Memorials are preferred to: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Pine City. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com