Harold "Harry" Nollen
February 20, 1930 — August 19, 2016
Harold Nicholas Nollen, son of Michael and Frances (Thielen) Nollen, was born on February 20, 1930 at Defiance, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and attended St. Paul’s Catholic School both of Defiance where he graduated in 1947. After high school, Harry worked different jobs including at the lumber yard and as a mechanic. He then enlisted in the United States National Guard serving honorably until May 25, 1950.
On April 19, 1954, Harry was united in marriage to Shirley Stoltz at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Three children were born to this union: Deb, Kim and Scott. After the death of his father in an accident, Harry helped on his family’s farm. He and Shirley made their home in the country outside of Harlan where he started working for the John Rosman Family Farms.
Harry then enlisted into the United States Coast Guard where he served his country honorably in Alabama, Louisiana and later Texas. While working on the USS Dione, he helped with the deployment of navigation buoys throughout rivers in the Gulf Shores area. Upon his discharge on April 21, 1959, Shirley and Harry returned to Harlan where he worked as a mechanic at Benton Motors.
Harry then ran the Phillips 66 station on Old Highway 59 across from Mickel’s then ran the new Phillips 66 station one block south across from Dairy Queen. It was here that he also ran a bulk tank service and ran other gas stations in Persia, Avoca and Missouri Valley, Iowa. He sold his interest in Nollen Oil and retired for a short period and then began working again this time on the road as a sales representative for Milder Oil Company throughout the Midwest. He retired for good in 2002.
For several years, Harry and his family vacationed in Mobile, Alabama after he fell in love with the area during his service in the United States Coast Guard. In 2005, Shirley and Harry moved to Mobile and stayed there until 2013 when they returned to Harlan. More than anything in the world, Harry loved spending time with his family and watching his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.
Harry died at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska on August 19, 2016 having attained the age of eighty-six years, five months and thirty days. In addition to his parents, Harry was preceded in death by his sisters: Lila Kirschbaum and Betty Bruck and his brothers John “Buster” Nollen and Kenneth Nollen.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Shirley Nollen of Harlan; his children: Deb Nollen of North Liberty, Iowa; Kim Hagen of Riverside, Iowa and Scott Nollen of Harlan; grandchildren Ryan Baumbach, Nathan Brown and Sean Nollen; his great grandchildren: Jordan and Betty Brown; his sister Marilyn and her husband Ed Goeser of Harlan and Ron Nollen and his wife Ruth of Westphalia, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
On April 19, 1954, Harry was united in marriage to Shirley Stoltz at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Three children were born to this union: Deb, Kim and Scott. After the death of his father in an accident, Harry helped on his family’s farm. He and Shirley made their home in the country outside of Harlan where he started working for the John Rosman Family Farms.
Harry then enlisted into the United States Coast Guard where he served his country honorably in Alabama, Louisiana and later Texas. While working on the USS Dione, he helped with the deployment of navigation buoys throughout rivers in the Gulf Shores area. Upon his discharge on April 21, 1959, Shirley and Harry returned to Harlan where he worked as a mechanic at Benton Motors.
Harry then ran the Phillips 66 station on Old Highway 59 across from Mickel’s then ran the new Phillips 66 station one block south across from Dairy Queen. It was here that he also ran a bulk tank service and ran other gas stations in Persia, Avoca and Missouri Valley, Iowa. He sold his interest in Nollen Oil and retired for a short period and then began working again this time on the road as a sales representative for Milder Oil Company throughout the Midwest. He retired for good in 2002.
For several years, Harry and his family vacationed in Mobile, Alabama after he fell in love with the area during his service in the United States Coast Guard. In 2005, Shirley and Harry moved to Mobile and stayed there until 2013 when they returned to Harlan. More than anything in the world, Harry loved spending time with his family and watching his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.
Harry died at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska on August 19, 2016 having attained the age of eighty-six years, five months and thirty days. In addition to his parents, Harry was preceded in death by his sisters: Lila Kirschbaum and Betty Bruck and his brothers John “Buster” Nollen and Kenneth Nollen.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Shirley Nollen of Harlan; his children: Deb Nollen of North Liberty, Iowa; Kim Hagen of Riverside, Iowa and Scott Nollen of Harlan; grandchildren Ryan Baumbach, Nathan Brown and Sean Nollen; his great grandchildren: Jordan and Betty Brown; his sister Marilyn and her husband Ed Goeser of Harlan and Ron Nollen and his wife Ruth of Westphalia, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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