Harold H. Hepper

Harold Harry Hepper passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 615 E. Turnpike Ave, Bismarck. The service will be livestreamed on the church website found at https://www.facebook.com/bethelbismarck/live/ 

Burial will take place on Friday at 1:00PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Harold was born December 15, 1923, in Woodrow, Saskatchewan (Canada) to Jacob and Elizabeth Hepper. His family moved to the United States before he was a year old and settled in McClusky North Dakota, where he was raised and educated. He graduated from McClusky High School in 1942.

Harold was drafted into the army in 1943. While in service he was in the European Theatre, as a medic. He was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII and was honorably discharged from the military in 1945 with a medical badge, bronze star, five combat stars, and a purple heart.

After returning home from the war, Harold resumed his job at the First National Bank of McClusky. He met Laura Kleingartner, who would become his wife in 1947. The two settled in McClusky and welcomed daughters, Debra and Gail. He retired from the bank in 1987 after 44 years.

Harold enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sports. He joined the McCluskey Fire Department in 1954 and received an award after 33 years of dedicated service. He was a member of the McClusky American Legion until his death.

Harold was a proud WWII veteran. He participated in the 2010 Honor Flight to Washington, DC. It was an emotional yet unforgettable journey of American soldiers that loved their country as much as he did.

In 2012, Harold and Laura moved to Bismarck into an assistive living community (Hay Creek Lodge) and became members of Bethel Lutheran Church. While living at Hay Creek Lodge, he got to know many of the residents, participating in pinochle and Wii bowling. 

In December 2023, Harold celebrated his 100th birthday with family, friends, and military honors.

Harold is preceded in death by his wife, Laura and daughter, Debra.

He is survived by his daughter, Gail Hepper (Santee, CA); grandsons Justin Glum (El Cajon, CA) and Jon Glum (Long Beach, CA); granddaughters Sheri Zeeb (Boston, MA), Kim Zeeb (Fargo, ND), Jennifer Petraglia (San Diego, CA); and great-grandsons Evan Schaff (Fargo, ND) and Jude and Jace Petraglia (San Diego, CA).

Harold was a son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, veteran, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery.