Harry Spillum

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father Harry Eugene Spillum. Harry passed peacefully March 6, 2020. Harry was born September 26, 1921, the son of Ole and Fannie (Jones) Spillum in Brookings, South Dakota. He was the last of five children, the only boy with four older sisters. The early years were happy and busy with sports and many activities. He was involved in high school basketball and was class president his senior year. Graduating from South Dakota State College with a BS degree in agri-business, he fulfilled his ROTC commitment with the military and was sent to Africa and Italy from 1943 to 1946. He was a battalion Communications Officer and was decorated with both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service. His battalion also received the Presidential Unit Citation for breaking through the Gothic Line, one of the last German strongholds in Italy. Like many of his generation he was very proud of his service, but didn’t often speak of it. After the war Harry intended to go back to college to get his Masters degree but after a short time he decided that he was finished with school  and accepted a position with International Harvester as a sales manager. His job took him to Minneapolis where he met his wife Dorothy and they were married in 1951. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy, in 2006. They had four children, two boys and two girls and were loving and devoted parents. Again, we were shown his strength of character as he cared for our mother at home through a long and difficult illness. Throughout his life he enjoyed sports immensely, reading, following current events, music, family and friends. Harry enjoyed his many friends and activities at St. Therese Residences. Harry is survived by daughters, Kim Blenkush & husband Roger of Plymouth, MN, and Jill LeBlanc of Signal Hill, CA; sons, Steve of Hopkins, MN & Rick of Winter Park, FL; as well as nieces, nephews and friends. We will miss you Dad.

Private services and interment at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.