Harold Loerke

Harold Wayne Loerke passed away unexpectedly on September 28, 2023 at the far-too-young age of 67. He was born on August 2, 1956 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Emily (Elzner) and Wayne Loerke.

His family moved around a lot growing up, but Harold always had a best friend in his brother Frank and he had a close relationship with both of his parents. This laid the foundation for Harold's love of family that held throughout his life.

Harold graduated in 1974 from Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California. He attended Fresno State University but chose to leave his studies after the death of his father in 1984. The next couple of years were busy as Harold settled down in Fresno, California and started his own family. He married in 1987, and shortly after had two children, Christina and Wayne. Sadly, Christina was stillborn and Wayne died of SIDS at only a few months old.

In 1991, Harold and his wife welcomed their daughter Nicole to the world. Harold was overjoyed to be a father and enjoyed spending every moment he could with her. A few months later, they were surprised to learn they were expecting again and in January of 1993 they welcomed twins Frank and Jennifer to the world.
Harold never shied away from the truth in saying his hands were full raising three kids, but he always made it clear that he loved his kids more than anything and it showed in all he did.

Later that year, Harold got a job with Alpha Technologies and they relocated to Bellingham, WA. That is where they spent the next several years raising their children until 2001 when they divorced. At that time, Harold moved to Custer, where he lived for the next 22 years. Harold loved everything about Custer, and that was home to him. Over the last 22 years, Harold received many promotions at Alpha Technologies before leaving, owned and operated his own consulting business, and worked for Heath Tecna (which later became Zodiac, then Safron) as an aerospace engineer until he retired in 2020.

Harold welcomed his granddaughter Ava into the world in 2017, his granddaughter Mila in 2019, and his grandson Elliot in 2020. He was a dedicated and loving grandpa that enjoyed spending as much time as he possibly could with his grandkids. He often would come over and just sit with them, coloring pictures, playing with Play-Doh, letting the girls play hair salon with him, and so much more.

From the time he was young, Harold was known for setting off on his own to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, often to the dismay of his mother. Harold truly embraced life, never letting it get him down and lived it on his own terms. He was one of the strongest, toughest people on this earth. He was a hardworking man, at one point working a full-time job plus three side jobs to help support his three kids. However, Harold truly enjoyed the simple things in life and always knew how to do more with less. He was intelligent beyond measure, and always so quick with a comeback or a joke. He constantly had people rolling in laughter over the things he said or the impressions he would do. He was so creative too, always thinking, making things, and tinkering in his shop. If you didn't have the right tool for a job, Harold almost always did and was happy to lend it to you or he would make it for you - and he happily would provide his input, free of charge.

Harold was a devout Lutheran his entire life, having been confirmed in the church during his youth. He was a man of conviction and principles, who never wavered in his beliefs or faith. Harold was a family man through and through. He always put his kids and grandkids first. He was present at every family get together, often being the first to arrive and one of, if not the last to leave. He was never more than just a phone call away. He truly was the rock of his family. He gave everything he had to everything he did in this life. He was the epitome of genuine, as he never pretended to be anything he wasn't, and never expected or wanted anything in return from anyone. Harold was all about spending time with his family and beloved dog Lucas, having fun, being outdoors, crabbing, clamming, camping, hiking, shooting guns, playing ladder golf, grilling and smoking meat, playing backgammon or solitaire, watching his favorite shows, and overall just enjoying the things in life that money cannot buy.

There are no words adequate to express the depth of loss his family, especially his children, feel with his untimely passing. He was the best dad anyone could ever ask for, an amazing grandpa, a wonderful best friend, and so much more. We love you, old man, you are with us forever. You are loved endlessly.