Age 92 of West St. Paul, Eagan, Hastings, Burnsville, MN
Born February 29, 1928, passed away peacefully from end-stage Alzheimer’s July 16, 2020.
Harvey was born the youngest of 4 children, growing up on a farm in West St. Paul. Working on the farm he developed a strong work ethic and faith in God. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church.
Harvey married his Humbolt high school sweetheart Rita Kelly when they eloped to Iowa July 5th, 1947 at age 19 and their love affair continued the rest of their lives. They were married 66 years when Rita passed away from interstitial lung disease.
Harvey’s first job out of high school was working on the railroad repairing cars. He learned how to build a house from a railroad coworker and proceeded to learn on the job, trial and error doing most of the work all by himself. In the ’50’s he bought several acres of land, had it platted and roads put in then proceeded to build one house at a time and sold it, slowly building a neighborhood around his own home which he also built. He did this a few times in his career, building a house from the basement up, only subcontracting out the plumbing, heating and electric. Rita learned how to be his bookkeeper and secretary and that was their livelihood his whole life.
Harvey was a devoted husband and father of two daughters Rolaine “Rollie” and Renee’, provided a good home and loved his family. He was also referred to as a “stubborn German” which he couldn’t argue with. He loved dogs and cars and owned several over the years. He enjoyed his garden, growing trees, fixing up tractors, going to auctions, watching football, playing black jack and penny poker, going to Las Vegas with Rita, dancing and fishing when he was younger. His favorite treats were popcorn, nuts and peanut brittle and in his younger years he loved donuts and other bakery goods. Working hard building houses every day he never gained an ounce from his treats. He enjoyed watching TV and had lots of favorite shows in his life. Harvey and Rita attended St. James Lutheran church and raised their family there as well. He would congregate with his siblings after church every Sunday to visit on the lawn after church.
Harvey developed Alzheimers Disease which progressed in his last two decades of life. Upon the death of his wife Rita in 2013, he was moved to Emerald Crest Memory Care Assisted Living in Burnsville where he received wonderful care by a great staff who treated him with dignity, love and respect along with his dozen housemates where it became home to him.
He was loved by his 3 grandchildren Heidi, Gretchen and Ben who all married, live locally, and gave him 8 great grandchildren. He was visited regularly by his loving cousin, Gladys and LeRoy as well.
Harvey was a “leap year baby” so every 4 years family made a big deal for his “real” birthday. When he was 64, we had a “sweet 16” party for him. When he reached age 84, we told him he was old enough to vote! Fortunately we were able to have a little Leap Year Party for him this past February 29th at Emerald Crest with about 10 people with his favorite Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Unfortunately that was the last time people were allowed to visit Harvey due to the Covid19 pandemic and he continued to decline, lose weight and end-stage Alzheimers then took his life 5 months later.
Preceded in death by his wife, Rita Kirchner; parents, Martin and Lydia Kirchner and his siblings, Mabel (Hugo) Lorch, Clarence (Eileen) Kirchner, Violet (Horace) Brown, Nephew Gerald Brown. Survived by daughters, Rolaine “Rollie” (Phil) Brandt and Renee’ (Dave Reed) Kirchner; grandchildren, Heidi (Jason) Haakenson, Gretchen (Wayde) Fleener and, Ben (Beth) Brandt; 8 great-grandchildren, Eric, Lucia, Olivia, Sophia, Sam, Toby, Nathan and Andrew; cousin, Gladys (LeRoy) Motz, Dorothy Sell, George “Bud” (Marian) Kirchner, and others; also several nieces and nephews. Memorial Service 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 21st, at St. James Lutheran Church, 460 Annapolis St., W., West St. Paul (Masks are required please). Visitation 10-10:30 AM prior to the service at the church. Interment Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights. . In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.