Harlan Jerroll Krupke was born February 19, 1949, at his home in Hancock, Minnesota, the son of Alvin George and Ethel N. (Gades) Krupke. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed into the Christian faith at Bethlehem Lutheran in Beardsley, Minnesota. Harlan grew up and attended school in Beardsley, De Graff, and Benson. He graduated from Benson High School with the Class of 1967 and went on to attend Willmar Community College and Southwest State University in Marshall. On June 20, 1970, Harlan was united in marriage to Diane Marie Hanson at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson by Pastor Mancini. This union was blessed with three children and 40 years of marriage. After their marriage, they lived in Marshall for two years, then moved to Olivia, where Harlan worked for Old Home Bread Company. In 1978, they moved to Benson, and he owned and operated Marigold Dairy and Cloverleaf Dairy for 25 years. He then worked for Syngenta in Danvers, managed the Prairie Pub in Clontarf, and Zielsdorf Auction in Benson. In 2008, he went to work for Case-New Holland in Benson. Harlan was a member of the Benson Lions, Northern Lites Snowmobile Club, and was a firearms safety instructor for 20 years. He also umpired for the VFW and Legion Baseball games for 37 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the church council and as an usher. Among the things he enjoyed were snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and farming spring and fall for Johnson's Farm for 22 years. He especially enjoyed his time with his grandchildren and friends. Harlan was called from this life on September 1, 2010, at Swift County Benson Hospital. He attained the age of 61 years, 6 months and 12 days. Harlan is survived by his wife Diane of Benson; his mother, Ethel Krupke of Benson; his children: Lance (Renee) Krupke of St. Michael, Joy (Grant) Wichmann of Balaton, and Katie (Michael) Groinus of Otsego; five grandchildren: Marcus, Jordan, and Drake Krupke; Cody & Tyler Wichmann; and two on the way; siblings: Doris (Willard) Arnold of Appleton, Alice (Dennis) Rohloff of Benson, Marilyn Kussatz of Wahpeton, ND, and Gordon (Annette) Krupke of New London; and other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his father; his grandparents; his father-in-law, Harold Hanson; and brother-in-law, Roy Kussatz.
