Harold Myhre

MADISON -Harold L. Myhre, age 90, died on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on Oct. 2, 1923, in Rockwell, Iowa, to Philip and Myrna (Clark) Myhre. Harold graduated from Madison East High School in 1941 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He served in the U.S. Army from July 1943 through March 1946 being Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant after serving in the Philippines during WWII. He married Elaine Johnson on March 25, 1950, in Crystal Lake, Ill. Harold worked for the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation for 36 years before retiring in 1986. Reminders of his contributions to the State of Wisconsin are the many highways and bridges he helped design. Harold showed skill, ingenuity, and love in every project he took on--from building doll furniture to designing his family's home. He was an avid gardener, exceptional pianist, creator of beautiful stained glass, and ever-humble-but-victorious cribbage player. He was a member of Lake Edge UCC, Friendship Force, Madison Area Iris Society, and the Olbrich Botanical Society. Harold and Elaine were world travelers, often accompanied by George and Betty (Myhre) Brown, Cy and Adele Zeisler, and Ron and Diane Rockow. Harold is survived by his two sons, John of Madison and David (Jennifer) of Verona; and two daughters, Kathleen Myhre of Madison, and Melinda (Richard) Marklein of Dunwoody, Ga; five grandchildren, Rob (Kathy) Hendrickson, Allison Gilmore, Eric (Katherine), Ross (Iris), and Kathryn Marklein; and a sister, Betty Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his wife, Elaine J. Myhre. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Olbrich Botanical Society (olbrich.org), or a charity of choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.