O.L. "Hoot" Harr

O. L. "Hoot" Harr, 81, Mandan, died January 22, 2010, at Medcenter One Hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 505 10th Ave NW, Mandan, with Rev. Kenneth Phillips and Rev. Albert Leary. Military graveside services will be held in the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. O.L. “Hoot” was born on September 24, 1928, in Woodworth, ND, the son of Jacob and Anna Oswald Harr. He attended schools in Woodworth and Jamestown. Hoot married Gerry Zirbes on August 23, 1947, in Jamestown. Hoot served with the U.S. Army in the 3rd infantry division as a Corporal and received the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Stars. Following his honorable discharge in 1954, he returned to ND, and he and Gerry settled in Mandan. Hoot continued to work and established Twin City Roofing, becoming the sole owner and proprietor in 1988. Along with building his business, Hoot built and established lifelong friendships. He enjoyed driving throughout western ND, and eastern MT, meeting and working with clients, and doing a job that wasn’t work to him. He loved it. Hoot was a life-long member of the Elks, serving as past exalted ruler, lodge and state trustee, and district deputy grand exalted ruler. He was also a life-long member of American Legion. He was the national director of the American Subcontractors Association and the Zonolite Deck Applicators Association. He was president of the board of Mandan Hospital and a director of First National Bank of Mandan Wells Fargo from 1970 until 1991. Hoot was an avid hunter and fisherman who shared his love of the outdoors with his sons. Many good times were had hunting throughout the state and on trips to Canada and Alaska with friends and family. Hoot was a member of Apple Creek Country Club and rarely missed playing golf on men’s day; and of course, was a lunch fixture at Amvets and Seven Seas. While Hoot may have attended the “school of hard knocks,” and learned to be tough for the many things he experienced and accomplished in his life, he had a soft spot for all his grandchildren. Hoot is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Susan Andy Wolf of Beulah, ND; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff Patti Harr of Weston, TX, Scott Carol Harr of Mandan, ND, and Dave Julie Harr of Lakewood, CO; his seven grandchildren, Valerie, Michele and Tim Wolf; Stephanie and Rachelle Harr; Lauren Harr; and Jacob Harr; his sisters, Katherine Stroh, Jamestown, ND, and Leora Thompson, Kennewick, WA; his brother, Don Harr, Jamestown, ND. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry; his parents; his brother, Norm; and his sisters, Della Ruddy, Clara Schmitz, and Nelda Harr. Memorials may be given to the Elks Camp Grassick or the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery.

O.L. "Hoot" Harr

September 24, 1928 - January 22, 2010