Obituary for Harold L. Topel

(RET 1SGT) Harold L. Topel, 91, of Dresbach, MN/La Crosse, WI, went to celebrate Christmas in Heaven with his wife, his son, and three daughters on December 19, 2021. Oh, what a glorious reunion they are having. He was the first born of ten children (making him a natural leader) to Lawrence and Verna (Brown-Spears) Topel on September 23, 1930. Due to his red hair, the owner of the corner grocery would greet him as the Red Herring Choker. His friends then shortened the nickname to Choker. Harold joined the Army National Guard in 1947, after months of convincing arguments to his mother for her to sign his enlistment papers. He was one of the first Central High School students to give military honors to the flag on Memorial Day in 1948, just before his high school graduation. He married his high school sweetheart, Darlyene Nienast, on October 23, 1948. They had seven children and were married until her death in 2006. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in a trailer home on his parent’s land, now the present location of the Onalaska American Legion. Harold retired from Trane Company after forty years working in many departments. His leadership skills earned him his final title of Inspection Foreman. He was also a very talented softball player and played well into his 50's. He was and always will be a "rocket" from his days playing in the Trane softball league. He was an avid hunter and taught many young people, as an instructor of gun safety training. His love of hunting began early when he and his father would squirrel hunt in the bluffs of La Crosse. He was also a founding member of the Stop Off Club, owning hunting land in Northern Wisconsin. 1SGT Topel was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard after 30 years of exemplary service. His mere presence demanded respect and made dating “interesting” for his daughters. He was a lifelong member of American Legion Post 52 in La Crosse, serving in many positions and committees, including Post Commander and Honor Guard Commanding Officer. Harold is survived by three daughters, Kathy (Duane) Kaiser of Mendota, IL, Debby (Tom) Yeldell of Owasso, OK, and Becky Wapp (Tom) Sawyer of Dresbach, MN; grandchildren, Dan (Nicole) Kaiser, Rebecca (Marc) Bond, Matt (Melissa) Sawyer, Nicole (Neil Albrecht) Sawyer, Tammy Yeldell, Kimberly Taylor, Amy (David) Breshears, David (Laura) Kish, Michael Manecke, Jim (Susie) Sawyer, Karen (Paul) Anderson, and Kimberly (Brad) Selepa; seventeen great-grandchildren; his brother, Alan (Eunice Clements) Topel of La Crosse; three sisters-in-law, Mary Topel of Veazie, ME, Pat Topel of Mendota, IL, and Lynn Topel of Clermont, FL; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughters, Mary and Tamie Topel, and Margaret Manecke; son, David Topel; son-in-law, David Wapp; 4 brothers, Kenneth, Philip, Frederic, and Robert Topel; 4 sisters, Marilyn Hollis, Barbara West, Violet Rediske, and Rita Kaiser. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at the Onalaska American Legion Post 336 - 731 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI. A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m., until the time of service. Burial will be in Onalaska City Cemetery with military honors to be rendered by the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52, of La Crosse, and the United States Army National Guard Funeral Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 Funeral Honor Guard or a charity of the donor’s choice. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.jandtfredrickson.com