Harlan Edward Geihsler

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

May 14, 1926 - Feb. 18, 2008

Harlan Edward Geihsler, age 81, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin.

Harlan was born in Palisade on May 14, 1926, to Harold W. and Sophia M. (Kircher) Geihsler. He attended Palisade Public Schools.

He married Anna Irene Lewis on Aug. 12, 1947, in Oberlin. To this union three children were born, Dean, Debra and Donna. They made their home southeast of McCook, where he enjoyed being a farmer since 1947. He was Santa Claus for 40 years for schools, nursing homes and families.

He was in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, as a Squadron Leader. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign and received a Purple Heart for his involvement on Okinawa Island.

He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anna on April 18, 2005; and brother, Gerald.

He is survived by his son, Dean of Colby, Kan., daughters, Debra Geihsler of Boston, Mass., and Donna Geihsler of Wichita, Kan.; brother, Burdette Geihsler and wife, Gleannys of Benkelman; sister, Burdean Melchert and husband, Alfred of Stratton; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may by given in his name.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m,. at Carpenter Breland Chapel with Jerry Beckenhauer officiating. Burial will be in the Danbury-Marion Cemetery.

Visitation is today until 8 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. until noon at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook. Friends may sign his book at the funeral home or send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.