Harley Titze, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend passed away July 16, 2021 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Thursday, July 22, 2021 at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Dimock.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 21, 2021 with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Will Funeral Chapel.  Burial will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

Harley was born on August 27, 1938 to Oswald and Minnie (Larsch) Titze in Mitchell, SD. He was baptized into faith and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church (Hillside).  He started farming at a very early age so after graduating High School, he continued to help on the family farm south of Mt. Vernon and eventually took over the farm.

On November 16, 1958 he married Phyllis Durfey.  They made it as far as Chamberlain on their honeymoon before having to turn around due to a bad snow storm.  Phyllis and Harley were married 62 and 3/4 years.

Harley enjoyed many activities including dancing, playing cards, camping, fishing, gardening, especially his tomatoes, vacations with his family and mostly hunting.  He hunted in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana.  Harley hunted all kinds of animals, trophy deer, elk, fox, coyote and pheasants with his trusty dogs to name a few.  Harley competed in trap shooting competitions against Roy Rogers and a Remington Representative in a shoot off with Harley shooting a perfect 100.  He taught all his children and grandchildren how to shoot and respect a gun; the time spent together will always be treasured.

He bowled many tournaments even traveling with the team to nationals and bowling with his daughter, Pam, and her husband, Dale No Tap tournaments.  Harley loved to ride horses, he broke many and passed on his love for horses to his family.  Harley was always ready with a joke to share with people; but his biggest joy was being with his family, following his grandchildren around on their adventures and sharing his wisdom with his loved ones.

Harley was a farmer at heart. He did custom combining, silage cutting, baling and windrowing for family neighbors and friends. With his work ethic and compassionate heart, he worked hard to provide for his family.  After he retired from the farm he worked for the city of Stickney and was a school bus driver, drove a charter bus, worked at the Mitchell livestock sale barn, the Aurora and Davison County Highway Department and was the Weed Supervisor for both counties.  Harley participated in many organizations including the Stickney School Board, the church council, the Ethan Trail Riders, the Moose and Elks Lodges, and was a lifetime supporter of the Corn Palace Rodeo.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, his four children; Pamela (Dale) Moke, Patti (Kenny) Boomsma, Perry Titze, Penny (Tony) Tilton, grandchildren; Matthew (Lindsey) Boomsma, Nicole (Boomsma) (Jake) Jones, Justin (Morgan) Boomsma, Kardell (Shelby) Boomsma, Austin (special friend Bailey) Tilton, Alexis (special friend Colby) Tilton, Kristopher Moke, foster grandson, Randy (Becky) Faber, seven great grandchildren, and one sister Janis (Wayne) Gerlach, sister-in-law; Carol (Harvey) Metzger, brother-in-law; Ron (Joyce) Durfey and many nieces and nephews.

Harley was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, his in-laws, and one brother-in-law.