Harlan Ray Freitag

MCFARLAND - Harlan R. Freitag, 80, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side, into the arms of his Savior, on January 23, 2024, after his health declined due to cancer.

Harlan (known as Harney to his family and friends) was born in Monroe on September 13, 1943. He was raised on the Freitag family farm, south of New Glarus. Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, Harney started driving tractor at the age of eight and learned many mechanical skills from his dad, along with a strong work ethic. He also ordered honeybees from Montgomery Ward catalog and for a short time was a beekeeper.

Harney was a 1961 graduate of New Glarus High School, where he played quarterback and was homecoming king his senior year. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Key West, Fla., during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was trained as a sonar-man and had a tour of duty aboard the destroyer USS Charles R. Ware, in the Mediterranean Sea. Later, he was an active member of the McFarland American Legion Post 534, where he often played Euchre.

In 1966, Harney married his sweetheart, Beverly Justman, of Iron Ridge, Wis., and they welcomed their son, Michael, in 1970. They lived in Madison and Monona before settling into their home in a subdivision in the town of Dunn. In 1992, they rebuilt that home after it was destroyed by a tornado. That was a traumatic experience for Harney and left him with less motivation to work on home projects.

For many years Harney and Bev closely followed the University of Wisconsin Hockey team, attending many of their games. He also was very involved with the McFarland Youth Hockey program in the 1970s and 80s, driving Michael and many of his teammates to games and tournaments. He was among those whose hard work resulted in the building of the McFarland Ice Arena. Harney also built the first Zamboni for McFarland Youth Hockey.

In February 1966, Harney began his three-year apprenticeship as an ironworker with Kupfer Iron Works and becoming a member of Ironworkers Local 383. Throughout his career, Harney worked for many companies, but finished with working for Nelson Steel Erectors of McFarland. Harney took part in the construction of many buildings in the Madison area and southern Wisconsin, including such notable structures as the Dane County Coliseum, the Park Motor Inn (now the Inn on the Park), and the Infinity Room at the House on the Rock.

In his spare time, he enjoyed salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. Harney would invite his friends or son and would take his 20-foot Boston Whaler to launch from Racine in the spring and sometimes ending as far north as Bailey’s Harbor in the fall. He also made other fishing trips to Northern Wisconsin and Canada with family and friends.

After retiring, he could sometimes be seen selling sweet corn at a stand along Highway 51 or rounding up and splitting wood to heat his home during winter. Harney also enjoyed sharing his love for gardening with his family. He had the best-looking garden on the block. Most of all, he had a great love for his family. He enjoyed watching and being involved in his grandchildren’s lives and more recently, his three great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family.

Harlan is survived by his wife, Beverly; a son, Michael (Lisa) Freitag of Stoughton; four grandchildren, Kelsey (Logan) Brandt of Stoughton, Justin (Madeline) Freitag of Eau Claire, and Emma and Rachel Freitag of Stoughton; three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Levi, and Landon Brandt of Stoughton; a brother, Duane (Janet) Freitag of Greendale; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Irene Freitag, and a brother and sister-in-law, Lyle and Claudette Freitag.

Harney’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Agrace HospiceCare, friends, and neighbors for their loving and supportive care to Harney and Bev.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 12 noon on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, and also from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515