Harold "Harry" Thurmer

MOUNT HOREB - Harold A. Thurmer resident of Mount Horeb, Wis., died on April 16, 2026, and was born in Chicago, Ill., on March 24, 1959, to the late Herbert (died 2021) and late Alice Thurmer (died 2008). He was preceded in death by his wife and soulmate of 30 years, Julie Hedstrom (died April 3, 2026, following her fight with cancer); and two sisters, Susan (died 2006) and Lisa (died 1998).

Harold received four bachelor’s degrees from Northeastern Illinois University in Economics, Mathematics, History and Speech Communications. He became a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society, received the Speech Department Academic Achievement Award and twice awarded Summa Cum Laude honors.

Harold served in the elevator industry as an apprentice and mechanic for 21 years (1980-2001) and was a technician at Willis (Sears) Tower from 1997-2001. He became an elevator consultant for Donnelly & Associates from 2001 to 2012 and then became a superintendent for Kone Elevator from 2012 - 2026. Harold was a member of the National Code Committee for ASME A17.1 for Existing Installation and the Maintenance, Repair and Replacement committee. He served on the City of Chicago Elevator Board from 2013 - 2026 and the State of Wisconsin Conveyance Board from 2018 to 2026. He also served on the NEII Codes and Standards Committee, NEIEP Joint Apprenticeship Committee and the NEIEP Safety Committee and was a member of the committee that wrote the Licensing Exam for the City of Chicago for Supervising Elevator Mechanics. Harold was a member of KONE’s Acquisition team where he would review elevators before the purchase of a company. Harold most enjoyed doing Expert Witness work with KONE and dealing with the crack legal team at KONE on accident cases.

Harold’s last conscious thoughts were about Julie; and his wonderful mother-in-law, Joan Hedstrom, who brought him much comfort in his dying moments. He is survived by his amazing sister and brothers-in-law, Jennifer (Brian) Armour and Jackie Helman; his terrific nephews, Brad (Angie) Armour, Jeffrey (Julianna) Armour and Kenny Helman; and a terrific niece, Jessica Helman. He is also survived by his cousins, Paul Golonski, David Golonski and Davide Berglund; and his dogs, Elsie whom he walked around Mount Horeb 10 to 15 miles a day until his illness and 14-year-old Chip. A special thanks to his neighbors, Mary Joe and Ron Brinkman and Pete Waltz for their tremendous help throughout the years. The best memories were created with Andre and Keri Robotewskyj, along with Mary Jo Bovy and Tim Mareau going to Door County on numerous occasions and countless beer festivals throughout the last 30 years. Andre and Harold would spend hours discussing the latest trends in AI, banking, economics and world events.  Harold also enjoyed playing baseball, hockey, and softball before retiring in 2000. It was playing co-ed softball where he met his wife and soulmate Julie Hedstrom in 1996.

A memorial service for both Harold and wife, Julie, will be held at GUNDERSON CAMACHO MOUNT HOREB FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

A very special thanks to the MAD-ROCK team who helped him achieve a large level of success and made his life easier, Kevin Carlson, Joe DeRosso, Brian Lex, Cory Lex, Wendy Kittredge, Scott Ringberg, Nick Weiss and Sean Williams. Thanks to former technicians, Dean Genthe, Adam Lex, Briant Weaver, Dave Greenberg, Kevin Meiner, Gary Piparis Jim Harmon, the late Bob Karall and especially Larry Ribley. To Roy Zeder whom he talked for hours on the phone about elevators, baseball, football and politics.  Thanks to the Milwaukee and North team who Harold enjoyed working with; and Amy Hoffmann, Val Halverson and Linda Cramer who aided in making MAD-ROCK successful. Others Harold enjoyed working with included, Danella Petrovich, David Brandstadder, Nick Price, Kevin Braun, Matt Nalette, Paul Olson and Jason Dobbert.

Thanks to his former salespeople and superintendents, Jen Hertl, Seth Nalette, Rob Ochalla, Trace Welch, Kevin Vogelsinger, Bridgid Pollard, Tom Jirik, Tim Bratton, Randy Wood, Adam Falk and Ryan Bender for creating the success in business when Harold worked with them. Special thanks to his general manager, Jeff Henderson, who worked with Harold on and off for 14 years and was especially wonderful during his illness. Finally, thanks to those who helped guide Harold’s career, Joe Donnelly, John Reece, Jay Dietz, Divya Metah, Vic LaPorte, Brandon Kane and Mark Holyoke with their help opening doors which lead to Harold’s success in the elevator industry.

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

Gunderson Camacho

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077