Harley Lee Waagmeester, Sr.
November 19, 1930 ~ August 4, 2019
Harley L. Waagmeester, Sr. 88, rural Brandon, died Sunday, August 4, 2019, at home following a short battle with cancer.
Visitation will be 1:30pm, Friday, August 9, 2019, at Grandview Covenant Church, (1114 – 140th St.) Larchwood, IA. Memorial Services will be 2:30pm with Full Military Honors to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sioux Falls Humane Society or the American Heart Association in Harley’s honor.
Harley Lee Waagmeester was born November 19, 1930, in rural Lester, IA, to William and Thelma (Danish) Waagmeester. The family moved to Sioux Falls where he grew up and attended Washington High School before heading to the Navy to serve in the Korean conflict. Upon his completion of duty in October 1955, Harley headed back to Sioux Falls. On November 30, 1956, Harley married Ruth Marie McGloghlon in Sioux Falls. He had already begun his business in demolition as General Excavation, where he remained until his retirement in 1996.
Harley was not one to sit still. In 1970, he attained his private pilots’ license which led to four different planes and a private runway on the farm. He was a member of the “Horseless Carriage Club” with several different cars that he collected. Most lately, Harley was involved in Hamm Radios. Harley could not be remembered without his love for animals. The number of Black Labs over the years included Astro, Clyde, Boo, and Rocky and will be remembered by anyone who visited Harley.
Harley will be deeply missed by his four children, Harley Waagmeester, Jr, Phoenix, AZ, Debra (Russell) Kooistra, Hills, MN, Barbara (Ken) Murdock, Maple Valley, WA, and Gary Waagmeester, Brandon, SD; four grandchildren, Zachariah, Shelby, Chelsea, and Alexa; three great-grandchildren, Rhett, River, and one soon to be born; and three siblings, Marilyn Anderson, Sioux Falls, Marcia Johnson, Whittier, CA, and Muriel (long time friend Larry) Rhinehart, Chino, CA.
Harley was preceded in death by his wife, Ruthie; his parents, William and Thelma; and two brothers, Ivan “Woody” and Ronald.
Our thoughts are with you all. Your father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother was a wonderful man.
Uncle Harley was my first love and the man who all others were compared to. He was so kind and loving (especially to my aunt Ruth), and he was so gosh darn handsome that I followed him around like a little puppy (I was 5 at the time). I’ll always remember his welcoming smile and warm laughter. My one regret is that I didn’t get to spend more time with him and my cousins with families living so far apart.
With tears in my heart, I will always miss you and remember you uncle Harley. Give Ruthie a hug for me will ya.
I’m happy remembering all my “Harley Memories”. His great smile, charismatic personality made all our short visits special. My Aunt Ruth was the icing on the cake!
I wish we could go back in time for one more picnic in Grandma Macs yard with everyone there. I miss them all so much and am forever grateful to be a part of this family.❤️😢💔
I met Uncle Harley and Aunt Ruth back in 1960 when we lived in Sioux Falls for 2 years.
My dad, Larry Sr. spoke of him often and admired his business, his love of flying and of course he liked that his sister Ruth was married to him. I only wish I could have known him better and his family too.
Aunt Ruth helped me get through the pain of my dog being run over and die in my lap on Grandma Keefer’s front yard, and I think of her often as well. I was 8 years old and she somehow knew what to say and do to make me feel better.
When I think of Harley and Ruth, I think of a couple who loved each other and also cared about many other people. Their laughter and love of life was wonderful.
The world could use a lot more Harley’s. God’s love for Harley, his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids is with you now more than ever. You all have been blessed to have had Harley in your life.
Gary I’m so sorry for your families loss sending my deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers 🙏🏾
I was the last child born into our family of six children. Harley was 13 years old at the time.
He used to stand me on the table, shake my hips and sing Boo La Boo La. He was always a charmer
and we all loved him. When he left for the Navy he bought Mom high heel boots to wear, and she was delighted… and another time he bought her a stuffed bear. When he got out of the Navy he came to visit Mom, Muriel, and me before going home to Sioux Falls. I remember he took Mom and I up in the mountains in his new green Ford convertible it was quite a ride I was 11 then. He stayed a few days and had to make some Bread Pudding…he ate the whole bowl himself ha ha. When he left he had to hurry and find a himself a pretty gal (Ruthie) and settle down. 🙂 He left us so quickly…it doesn’t seem real..
I will forever love and miss my beautiful big brother, Harley. Bula Bula, Bro… see you soon.
So sorry for your loss Gary. Thoughts and Prayers to you and your family at this time. Tammy Young and Melissa Tschetter0
Gary My Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..