Harold Fitzner, 90

Harold Fitzner, 90, of Branson, Mo., passed away Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at his home. No services are planned with cremation under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home, Branson. Private burial will be at a later date in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson. Visitation at the family home is welcome at any time. Harold Walter Fitzner was born Feb. 25, 1920, near Winner, S.D., and grew up near Edgemont, S.D. He hitchhiked to Boulder, Colo., at the age of 16 where he worked his way through school and graduated from Boulder High School. He joined the National Guard and served in the Army when the guards were mobilized prior to World War II, and later received a medical discharge due to a knee injury. Harold married Betty Richardson in 1943 and two sons were born to them. They moved to a Montana ranch in 1961. Harold served as Lake County Commissioner in the 1980s. They later moved to Hudson, Fla., and lived there from 1989 until 2005, when Harold and Betty moved into their present home in Branson. Harold is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Betty Fitzner; son, Gary, and wife, Crystal, of Overland Park, Kan.; grandson, Shawn, of Portland; and Shawn s mother, Judy Fitzner, of Missoula. Also surviving are two stepgrandchildren, Ryan Smith and Ra Vae Smith, of San Diego; two brothers, William Fitzner of Hot Springs, S.D., and Ralph and wife Dorothy of Rapid City, S.D.; two sisters, Helen Bennett of Hot Springs, S.D., and Esther Wineteer of Gillette, Wyo.; and many other friends and relatives. Preceding Harold in death were his son, Richard; grandson, John George Fitzner; his parents, Fred and Emma Fitzner; brother, Orville Poore; sister, Virginia Nelson; and sister, Ruth Howe. Harold loved the Lord and always worked hard to provide for his family. In recent years he looked forward to Saturday night with the Gaithers and Lawrence Welk and sharing a bowl of popcorn with the family Pomeranian, Tiger II. All who knew him will remember fondly his laugh.