Harold Eugene Chaffee

Harold Eugene Chaffee passed away at the Elim Care & Rehab Center in Princeton Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the age of 85.

Harold was born on June 16, 1933 to Clifford Harold and Verna (Cyr) Chaffee in Barry Township, Hinckley, Minnesota.

Harold grew up and attended school in Hinckley through the 12^th grade.  After graduation he attended Gale Institute in Minneapolis for Telegraph and Railroad Rules.  He also attended schools in St. Paul for; Hydraulics, Welding and Boiler Maintenance.

In 1953, he met Grace Marie Kubat and they were married on September 11, 1953.  They were blessed with five children: Robert, Betty, Susan, Mary Ann and Lisa.

Harold was drafted into the Army on April 30, 1953.  He spent 16 weeks of Basic Training and Leadership School at Fort Riley in Kansas.  He was later stationed in Frankfurt, Germany during the Korean War.  In 1954, during the months of January through March he attended training in Fussen, Germany for Instrument Repair.   Harold was honorably discharged on April 13, 1955; he was very proud of his service in the Army.

Harold worked many jobs throughout his life; Plastics Incorporated in St. Paul, Pine County Jailer, Maintenance Man, Deputy, Water Patrol, Ambulance Service and was a volunteer fireman.  For a few years Harold and Grace owned and operated the Family Café in Isle.   Prior to his retirement he was employed at Land O’ Lakes Plant in Dalbo for 19 years.

Harold was very well known for making homemade donuts and he enjoyed giving his baked goods to his friends.  He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to go fishing and hunting.  He did woodworking, welding, painting and in his earlier years liked to golf.  Harold was a life time member of the VFW, past post commander with the Isanti VFW and the Pine City Legion Post #51.  He was a fourth degree honor guard with the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Hinckley Odd Fellows Lodge.  Throughout his life he enjoyed serving others.

Harold is survived by his loving and caring wife Grace; son Robert (Natalya) Chaffee, daughters: Betty Ice, Susan (Dwain) Vogelpohl,  Mary Ann Peterson (Everett Prisco), Lisa (Joe) Lewis; 5 grandson; 10 granddaughters; 24 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; sister Marge (Art) McClaren; brother Thomas Chaffee; many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents Clifford Chaffee and Verna Chaffee Dicks, step father Charles “Bud” Dicks, brothers Robert Chaffee and William “Bill” Chaffee, and granddaughter Mary Christine Ice.

Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Harold: 10:30 AM; Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for Monday evening (10/29) 4-7:00 PM, Rosary at 6:30 PM at Swanson Chapel in Pine City and also one hour prior to the Mass in St. Anthony Commons at the church.  The interment will take place at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery in Cambridge.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Harold Chaffee are entrusted to:  Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Swanson Chapel of Pine City, Minnesota.  www.FuneralAndCremationService.com