Harley Pettipiece

Harley Pettipiece July 20, 1924 - November 13, 2009

Harlan J. "Harley" Pettipiece, age 85, of Faribault, died Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis as a result of a cardiac arrest. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor, officiating. Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to services. Harlan John Pettipiece was born July 20, 1924 to Edward and Louise (Pittman) Pettipiece in Faribault. One of seven children, he attended Immaculate Conception grade school and graduated from Faribault High School in 1943. He was very proud of where he came from and shared many memories of his childhood and his life with everyone who knew him. Harley met Gloria Kispert in 1942 at the Nerstrand roller rink. They were united in marriage on June 14, 1948 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault and spent the next sixty- one years together, raising their five children and dancing up a storm! They had a magical life together surrounded by family and friends. Immediately after high school, Harley enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1946. He achieved the rank of Motor Machinist Mate Third Class. After his discharge from the Navy, Harley worked for several auto repair shops in Faribault. In 1953, he opened his own business under the name Harley''s Radiator and Repair Shop, now Harley''s Auto Salvage and Recycling. Harley was an exemplary citizen, volunteer and leader. He was a member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 43, Faribault Knights of Columbus Council 889, Faribault Rotary Club, the Faribault Flyers Bike Club and served several years on the Faribault City Council. Committed to his faith, he was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and its Parish Council and continued serving his Lord at Divine Mercy Catholic Church. Harley faced life head on. He was adventurous and enjoyed biking, traveling, and visiting with anyone he met. Even more, Harley enjoyed spending time with family, storytelling, dancing with Gloria, games of cribbage and his business. He was an avid outdoorsman. Harley had many early memories of hunting with his brother Francis. They hunted and fished together his entire

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