Harry Lee Nolda

Harry Lee Nolda, 82, of Strawberry Point, Iowa, following a year long battle with pancreatic cancer, longtime owner of the Press Journal in Strawberry Point, Iowa, died peacefully at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, December 18, 2017.

Some of the following history of Harry’s life and accomplishments was composed by Harry himself.

Harry Lee Nolda was born on April 12, 1935, at Hayfield, Iowa, to Jacob and Amalia (Gies) Nolda, the youngest of six children, later known as “Kid” by his family.  He was baptized at the Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, and confirmed at the Elma, Iowa Lutheran Church.  He attended school at Crystal Lake until 6th grade and then moved to Elma, Iowa, attending Afton #7 country school through 8th grade, and then graduated in 1953 from Elma High School.

Harry served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1953-1957 and was honorably discharged on July 31,1961 after serving in the Reserves.

Following his discharge, he helped on the family farm north of Elma, Iowa, and then went to Midland Linotype School in Charles City.  He obtained his first job at Bird Island, Minnesota, where he worked as a linotype operator (typesetter), then in Berlin, Wisconsin also as a typesetter for the newspaper there.  He took off campus printing courses from the University of Minnesota. He was employed by NW Airlines in St. Paul and when they went on strike, he was employed in Emmetsburg, Iowa at the newspaper.

Harry was united in marriage to Angeline Johanns on April 9, 1958.  Five children were born to this union.  The couple later divorced.

Harry married Barbara Ann “Barb” (Ackman) Squires on September 17, 1988, at rural Arlington.  They made their home in Strawberry Point.

Harry came to Strawberry Point in 1961 and began work on July 29th of that year for Vic Gallo, d/b/a the owner/editor of the Press Journal newspaper in the basement of the Franklin Hotel.  Harry bought the Press Journal in 1966 and it is the oldest continuous business by the same ownership in Strawberry Point, operating as a family business for over 50 years.  The first edition of the Press Journal was published in 1876

During his 51+ years living in Strawberry Point, Harry:

 served on the Strawberry Point Chamber of Commerce, and is the second longest member of the Chamber after Lowell Rodas, and was Chamber President for eight terms, faithfully in charge of obtaining a carnival for Strawberry Days for 18 years; took Santa pictures with area children and Santa Claus for many Christmas seasons; was photographer for horse races at Central City for a number of years as well as for graduating seniors, weddings, etc.; served free strawberries and ice cream for many Strawberry Days; was a member of the first Ambulance Board; served on the Strawberry Point City Council in 1999 for several terms; Fire Department member for a short term; was a Lions Club member, received the Meritorious Service award on March 8, 1986, and received the Lions International Community Service award in 2003; charter member of the Jaycees at which time when he was a Jaycees member, he and Nolan Knight were co-managers of the Orpheum Theater for several years; Elderly Housing Board member; life-time member of the Strawberry Point American Legion Post #218 - being selected as Legionnaire of the year; is a life-time member of the Wilder Memorial Museum; received the Century Business of Iowa Award in 2002 for the Press Journal by the Iowa Dept. of Economic Development; received the Iowa Community Betterment Programs Governor Media Award on November 7, 1987, and also in 2000 for the Press Journal; received the Keystone AEA Award recognizing the employer (Press Journal) for their support and assistance in providing a work sight for Special Education students; was name supporter of the year of the Backbone Bluegrass Assoc. in 1991; received certificate of appreciation for being a Bluegrass supporter for 35 years; received the Booster Club Special Award in 1998 for valuable time and service given to the Starmont Boosters and athletes; was chairman of the committee of the Jaycees to select a speaker for the Starmont Athletic Banquet when he booked NFL player Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears who was recommended to him by Green Bay Packers, Bart Starr who had a previous commitment; at one time for several years took photos for the Clayton Co. Sheriff’s Dept. and Iowa Highway Patrol for auto accidents or other fatalities; became a member of Mission in Christ Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point in March of 2017.

Harry loved the outdoors, in the summer mowing lawn on his John Deere, watering Barb’s many plants, and sitting on the patio sometimes eating Boston baked beans or Bing cherries, drinking coffee and reading the CR Gazette Sunday paper.  Harry was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and a Green Bay Packer fan for many years.  He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and Indy racing, the History channel and old movies.  He has read many books over the years and still enjoyed reading almost every day on his kindle until failing health.  Harry was especially proud of his family and the accomplishment they have made in their lifetime, and loved spending time with them and all of his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Harry will always be remembered by many for his witty sense of humor and for his kind heartedness, always doing for others, and most of all, for the love of his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 29 years, Barb Nolda of Strawberry Point; five children, Kim (Don) Cook of Lamont, James (Jody) Nolda of E. Lyme, Connecticut, Kay (Kevin) Behrens of Lamont, Robert Nolda of E. Lyme Connecticut, and Tina (Hank) Daniels of Waterford, Connecticut; three step-children, Nancy (Kevin) Meyer of Knoxville, Becky (Joe) Helle of Hiawatha, and David Squires (Katie Boll) of Manchester; nine grandchildren, Sarah (Chris) Kramer, Marcus (Teri) Allan, Jon Cook, Zachary (Laura) Nolda, Zeth Nolda, Bobbi Marie Falck (Ryan Vickroy), Charlie (Michelle) Falck, Jacob Falck, and Amalia Falck; 15 great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Meyer, Trevor Meyer, Coby Meyer, Grant Helle, Blake Helle, and Savannah Squires; six nieces, Vicki Bucher, Regina (Bill) Elliott, Rebecca (Gary) Gima, Chris (Kelli) Ward, Karla (Dan) Smith, Janis (Randy) Anderson; and one nephew, Mike (Pam) Hammond.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Robert Nolda; three sisters, Marian Hammond, Esther Blitsch, and June Roethler; two nephews, Mark Hammond and Jerry Roethler; two brothers-in-law, Bill Hammond and Jack Roethler; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Nold

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family who will establish a special memorial to honor his legacy.

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