Christeleit, Harold William

Harold William Christeleit, 86, of Volga, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, at the Elkader Care Center. Funeral Services: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Volga, with the Rev. Lin Reichstadter and the Rev. Paul Fohs officiating. Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery, Volga. Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m. today at Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader and one hour before service time at the church on Friday.

He was born Aug. 31, 1924, on the family farm near Volga to William and Rose (Poor) Christeleit. Harold was baptized Lutheran at the family home on Oct. 26, 1924. He attended Crain Country School near Volga. On June 1, 1944, he was united in marriage to Norma Nydegger at St. Sebald Lutheran Church, rural Strawberry Point. They made their home on the Christeleit family farm in rural Volga. Two children were born to this union, Dennis and Diane. They moved to the rock house on the Wiedner farm in 1967, building and moving into their new home in 1977. In December 2009, Harold entered the Elkader Care Center.

Harold was  confirmed on Feb. 25, 1951, in Volga, becoming a member of the newly established St. Paul Lutheran Church which he helped build. He was a very active member of the church, holding various offices and serving as head usher with Chappie Seeland for a number of years. He was chairman of the “God's Acres Project” in 1952 and 1953; crops were grown by volunteers and profits from this project paid the debt of building the church.

He enjoyed farming and in his earlier years had many horses; he loved to read westerns and was on the St. Paul Lutheran Church state championship dart ball team in 1957.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Lorna) Christeleit, Volga, and Diane (Randy) Wiedenman, Farmersburg; grandchildren, Terry (Jolene) Christeleit, Elkader, Tracy (Craig) Follon, Volga, Dr. Alan Wiedenman and his fiancee, Aimee Wilson, Brooklyn, Iowa, and Jeff Wiedenman, Coralville; his great-grandchildren, Tara Follon, Volga, and William Christeleit, Elkader; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Norma; his granddaughter, Tammy Lynn Christeleit; and a sister, Dorothe Larson Kainz.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left with

Leonard Funeral Home in Elkader is in charge of arrangements.