Harley W. Douglas

Harley W. Douglas, 89, Browns Valley, MN, died Sunday, August 11, 2013, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.
Funeral services were Thursday, August 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley, MN, with Rev. Paul Warnier officiating.
Burial will be at a later date at the Valley View Cemetery in Browns Valley. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church.
Harley W. Douglas was born October 21, 1923, in Browns Valley to Charles and Lydia (Behrens) Douglas. Harley grew up in Browns Valley. He enlisted in the Army Air Force on April 20, 1943, and served in Northern France, Normandy, Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe during World War II until 1945. He was stationed in England where he loaded bombs and weaponry onto B17's which he loved to talk about. For his service, he received the Good Conduct Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was honorably discharged October 19, 1945.
Harley returned to Browns Valley and was united in marriage to Dorothy Rinken on May 10, 1947, in Browns Valley. They were blessed with three children, Jerry, Larry, and Jack. Harley and Dorothy were happily married for 66 years.
Harley worked in construction and was employed by Jim Andrews. He later worked at the local school as a custodian and at gas stations in Browns Valley and Sisseton. He then returned to the construction field as an electrician and plumber.
Harley served as a volunteer fireman for 20 years and was a member of the American Legion. He was a caretaker at the Valley Vista Apartments for 22 years before retiring.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of Browns Valley; sons, Jerry Douglas of Phoenix, AZ, and Jack (Tammy) Douglas of Beardsley, MN; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Douglas of St. Cloud, MN; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Harley was preceded in death by his son, Larry Douglas; sisters, Loretta Randall and Ollie Loroff; brother, Elmer Douglas, mother, Lydia; and father Charles Douglas.