Harold Schuerer

HAROLD SCHUERER

East Amana

Harold W. Schuerer, 88, of East Amana, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 27, 2015. Celebration of Life services: 10 a.m. Monday, March 30, at Amana Community Church, Main Amana, with Elder Tony Berger officiating. Burial will be at East Amana Cemetery. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Amana Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be contributed to the Amana Church Society or Essence of Life Hospice.

Arrangements with Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo.

Harold William Schuerer was born July 20, 1926, in East Amana, Iowa, the son of Walter and Magdalena Oehl Schuerer. Harold grew up in the Amanas, where his family operated the Amana Meat Shop for the Amana Society. Following high school Harold served his country honorably in World War II as a cook in the U.S. Navy submarine corps. Upon his return from service, he joined his brother, George, also a World War II veteran, in management of the Amana Meat Shop for more than 30 years. Brother Walt came home from World War II to take over operation of the Colony Inn. The three brothers loved the hospitality business and the friends from all over who were their patrons. Harold was fond of saying "Treat everyone like the preacher and you'll never run out of friends."

Harold and Helen Kraus were married June 3, 1950, in Middle Amana. In 1982, at the age of 58, Harold, with the support and tireless contribution of his wife and business partners, Helen and family, started the Barn Restaurant in Amana – a new stage and extension of his love for welcoming visitors to Amana. He was very fond of his co-workers at the Barn.

A wonderful cook who loved to prepare specialty dishes, Harold was a great guy to invite to a picnic or tailgate. And even if not invited, if you bought the pot roast from Harold, you had to expect that he came with it.

Harold had many hobbies, including pheasant hunting, dog training, horses and even motocross. But it was not so much the sport itself that he loved; rather it was the people he met and friends he so easily made. He was quick to make you smile but very aware that on occasion empathy was the more appropriate greeting and best counsel.

While Harold loved his work and hobbies, his advice to anyone who would listen was to balance work, family and faith, never letting work or hobbies crowd out family or faith. He had a rare capacity to enjoy life abundantly and be content in all circumstances.

Harold is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen Kraus Schuerer; their son, Neal Schuerer of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and their daughter, Carol Zuber of Amana; Neal's wife, Melissa, and their children, Henry and Greta, who married Aaron Cummings, and provided three great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Mitchell and Jacob; Carol's husband, Brad Zuber, and their children, Maria and Harry.

Harold also is survived by a brother, Walter; sisters-in-law, Florence Zuber Schuerer and Lucille Schaefer Kraus; and several nieces and nephews; plus many who called him "Uncle Harold," an honorary title he cherished.

And if you knew him at all you know he would say that "I never had it so good."

The family wishes to thank the staff at Colonial Manor and Essence of Life Hospice for the excellent care given to Harold during his stay.

I wish you sunshine on your path, and storms to season your journey.

I wish you peace – in the world in which you lived and in the smallest corner of the heart where truth is kept.

I wish you faith – to help define your living and your life.

More I cannot wish you – except perhaps love – to make all the rest worthwhile.

Online condolences can be left at www.kloster funeralhome.com.