Harlan Pygman

Harlan F. Pygman, Sr., age 94, of Siren, WI passed away Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Harlan was born in Center Creek Twp., Martin County, Minnesota, on March 1, 1920, son of the late LeRoy “Roy” and Eva (English) Pygman. He attended rural public schools in Martin County, MN, and put himself through North Central Bible College (AG) in Minne-apolis from September 1949 to June 1951. Harlan enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he served from October 4, 1939 to September 30th, 1940. He served in the U.S. Army, primarily attached to Company E, 263rd Infantry, during World War II from February 18, 1941 and was honorably discharged on October 19, 1944 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. On October 20, 1951, Harlan married Elva K. Johnson in Minneapolis at Calvary Temple. Elva passed away on May 7, 1987. After Harlan became an ordained minister in the Assembly of God Church, he pastored a church in Oakley, KS for two years. Over the years, Harlan was also employed as a salesperson for Muntz TV and various vacuum cleaner and sewing machine companies and as an engineer at North Central Bible College. He later became owner and manager of A1 Northwestern Sewing Machine & Vacuum Cleaner Company and operated a store on 38th and Nicollet Ave S. in Minneapolis, MN until 1977 when he moved his business to Siren, WI. He retired on June 19, 2001, due to extensive damage of his business’s structure and inventory caused by the tornado that passed through Siren the evening of June 18th. Harlan was an active member of the Siren Seniors Community Center. He is a former member of Siren Assembly of God Church. He loved to travel and over the years had visited all of the lower 48 states, many of them with his children. He was known for his wit and sense of humor. Survivors are three children: Harlan F. Pygman, Jr. (s.o. Matty) of Shawano, WI; Susan L. (and husband Daniel) DeGolier of Chanhassen, MN; and Royla R. Goebel (s.o. Jeff) of Bloomington, MN; seven grandchildren: Eric DeGolier, Heather Forness, Lonny Pygman, David DeGolier, Michelle Hoen, Michael Goebel, Jacqueline DeBolt; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elva; a son, DuWayne, in infancy; and his brothers and sisters: Joe Pygman, Nathan Wood, ElRoy Pygman, Neva Pegors, Roxie Sturm, and Fern Snow. To honor Harlan’s wishes, private services with full military honors were held. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Webster - Siren- Grantsburg. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.