Harold Bietz age 83, of Mitchell died Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Good Samaritan Lutheran Manor in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Reverend Chris Baesler officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Parkston Protestant Cemetery in Parkston, SD.

Harold William Bietz was born October 22, 1933 in rural Delmont to William and Louise (Leischner) Bietz. Harold was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Peters Lutheran Church and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church in Delmont, SD.  After his school years he started farming with his father. In 1954 he married Norma Ruth Semmler and continued farming for 12 years adjacent to the Bietz homestead. During those years four children were born.

In 1966 the family moved to Mitchell where Harold was working as a welder and by the end of that year Harold, with a partner, launched Plains Industries, building cattle feeders and trailers. In 1972, under full management the business grew along with the employees until 1978 when it was sold and redefined as Trail King Industries. Harold remained in plant management until retirement in 1997. Harold and Norma were active members in Trinity Lutheran Church in the choir and volunteering from 1966 until Norma's death in October 2013 and his health continued to decline. After retirement, Harold and Norma became active members in Granite Iowa Threshers Club and charter members in the Twin Rivers Old Iron Association of Delmont, SD. Throughout his life, he had a strong passion for hard work and especially comradery with his family, friends, neighbors and co-workers until his final day.

Harold enjoyed collecting tractors, gardening, cutting firewood and mowing his acreage.

Grateful for sharing his life are his children Deborah Ambagis, Phoenix, AZ, Curtis (Debbie) Bietz, Rapid City, SD, Beverly (Doug) Vogel, Harrisburg, SD and Alden Bietz, Salem, SD; 13 grandchildren, Sara Geffre, Rapid City, SD, Cris (Mandi) Bietz, Mitchell, SD, Andrew Bietz, Rapid City, SD, Breanna Bietz, New Orleans, LA, Carrie Winckler, Phoenix, AZ, Carl Winckler, Lake Hartwell, SC, Christina Arrington, Mesa, AZ, Dustin (Shanie) Heger, Huston, AK, Travis (Erin) Heger, Kalispell, MT, Kimberly (Ryan) Ampudia, Kalispell, MT, Sara Vogel, Sioux City, IA, Amanda (Ryan) Sorensen, Norfolk, NE and Megan Vogel, Sioux Falls, SD; 20 great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Nicholas, Emily, Nora, Siera, Kaylee, Emma, Isabella, Rylie, Gabby, Treyson, Brody, Travys, Dylann, Kayden, Jaxson, Graciella, Dawson, Claytyn and Tatum;  brothers Melvin (Maurine) Bietz, Gillette, WY and Ervin (Judy) Bietz, Delmont, SD and a sister Anita (Orville) Stevenson, Mitchell, SD.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents William and Louise and his wife Norma.