Harold Hirning, 83, Mott, ND passed away of natural causes on Tuesday evening, March 20, 2012, at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin, ND.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at 10:00am in the Zoar Congregational Church, in Mott, ND with Pastor Corey Warner officiating. Burial will be in Neuberg Congregational Church Cemetery north of Burt, ND.

A family service will be held on Friday evening at 7:00 at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Mott.

Serving as casketbearers are Richard Friesz, Emanuel Friesz, Mike Greff, Merle Hintz, Merlin Leithold, and Mark Klein. All friends and relatives are considered honorary bearers.

Harold Hirning was born to Jacob and Clara Hirning on June 28, 1928, at the family farm north of Burt. He was raised on a farm 15 miles north of Burt, ND, and attended country school through the eighth grade. He married Bertha Friesz from Elgin, on October 26, 1958. They had three children.

Harold and Bertha raised their three children, Morell, Bernell, and Scotty, on an 800-acre grain and cattle farm north of Burt; the same farm that was homesteaded by Harold's grandfather in the early 1900's. Oldest son Morell handled the cattle side of the operation and son Bernell handled the grain side.

Harold was a member of the Neuberg Congregational Church north of Burt until it closed, and then became a member of Zoar Congregational Church in Mott until the time of his death. His hobbies and interest in his retirement years centered around his two collie dogs, and riding the four-wheeler around the farm. On Sunday mornings, you could find Harold near the kitchen table radio that was tuned into KBMR and the Old Time Polka music with Clarissa Lynne. He also liked to tune into a good rodeo on his satellite TV when he could find them.

He is survived by his wife Bertha Hirning of Mott, son Morell Hiring of Mott, son Dr. Bernell Hirning of Fresno, CA; one nephew, Merlin Leithold of Elgin, ND; two cousins, Norman Hornberger of Park River, ND, and Letrice Grosz of Hazen, ND; two granddaughters, Kristi Hayhurst and husband Lucas of Omaha, NE, and Brittnee Nigg of Omaha, NE; and six great-grandsons, Jonathen, Jackzen, twins Bradly and Alexander, Thomus, and Evan, all of Omaha, NE.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Clara Hirning; one sister, Leona Leithold; two cousins, Lucille Tysver and Vernon Hornberger; and one son, Scotty Hirning.

Visitation will be Friday 1 to 7 pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Mott and on Saturday one hour prior to services at Zoar Congregational Church.