Harold A. Behrenwald

Harold Behrenwald was a friendly "straight-shooting" man who was known for his strong work ethic and keen sense of humor. Harold will be remembered as a loving grandfather, passionate sportsman and a strong union man. The 1920s were an era of rapid progress and change in the United States. The newly developed industrial sector was working overtime to fill worldwide demand for consumer goods, while jobs were plentiful in every city and town. It was into this busy world that Harold was born on March 9, 1927, in Lakeview, Michigan, to Harold and Ida (Jenkins) Behrenwald. Sadly, little Harold never got to know his father, who was of German descent, because he died in a car accident before he was born. His mother was truly heartbroken by her loss, so Harold went to live with his grandparents, who were farmers. Here, he grew up in the company of his aunts and uncles. His Uncle Amos was more like a brother to him. At sixteen, Harold was pretty much surviving on his own, working for various farms in the area. He joined the Deep Sea Merchant Marines and worked in the engine room on various ships. One of the perks of this job was that he had a union card, which got him on any ship in the fleet. Harold could work as long as he wanted on that ship, but he if decided to get off somewhere along the line, he lost his place on that boat. Another great benefit was that Harold got to travel to places all around the globe, including the Persian Gulf, Korea, Japan, China, Europe and throughout the Atlantic. Harold liked to tell the story of how once while he was dropping off Army tanks in Korea, a tank fell completely through a boat. In 1955, while home on leave in Muskegon, Harold met his future wife, Verlis Broge. Verlis was a real estate agent in the area, and a single mom of two sons: Gene, who was in the Air Force, and Jerry, who still lived at home. Harold and Verlis soon became romantically involved, and over the next few years, their love for each other blossomed. They were married on May 18, 1957, in Holt, Michigan. The couple spent the next 32 years, sharing a wonderful life together, not only as husband and wife, but as business owners too. They had bought a bar and named it H Bar & Bowling. Here they had bowling leagues on certain nights, and then on others, the lanes were covered up to make a dance floor. Verlis' son, Gene, played the washtub bass along with the jukebox. After about eight years, Harold decided to go back to working on boats and began sailing with the Ludington car ferry. In 1972, he worked as a powerhouse operator for Sealed Power. He and two other guys shared this job so that the plant kept running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unfortunately, they were eventually phased out by computers, and Harold retired in 1989. Harold was just a great, fun-loving guy, who liked shooting the breeze with his many friends, while enjoying a beer. He didn't have any qualms about expressing his opinions, even if it wasn't asked for. His stepson Gene said, "You never had to ask what side of the fence he was on." His granddaughter, Vicki, also said, "He liked to argue politics - not talk politics!" Yet, it was this strong opinionated man who couldn't wait to get up to his property near Baldwin and Pentwater, so he could feed the birds. He would say, "Got to get up North, my birds miss me." Harold loved to wander around his property up North, and when spring and fall came around, he could be found pursing his love of hunting. Aside from being a big outdoorsman, Harold loved sports cars and had a DeLorean and a Corvette. In his community, Harold was a lifetime member of the Muskegon Moose Lodge and the Eagles of Muskegon Heights. In 1989, Harold lost his beloved wife, Verlis, but then found a wonderful friend and companion in a lovely lady named Joyce Semelbauer. The two very much enjoyed each others company, and they had a standing date every Saturday night to go to dinner or go to the casino with their friends. For many years, Harold and Joyce shared a special love and friendship. Sadly, Joyce preceded Harold in death. Harold loved socializing with friends and spending time in nature on his property. He will be greatly missed. Harold A. Behrenwald, age 79, died Monday, January 15, 2007. He is survived by his two stepsons: Eugene (Blanche) Broge of Norton Shores, and Gerald (Patsy) Broge of Norton Shores; 7 grandchildren: Terry Pierce of N. Muskegon, Dan (Margaret) Pierce of Zeeland, Sue Lipe of Traverse City, Brenda (Zak) Aboumoudriq of Carlsbad, CA, Vicki Broge of Norton Shores, Alice (Brian) Doane of Fruitport and Gary Broge of Indianapolis; and many great-grandchildren. Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Verlis, and special loved one, Joyce Semelbauer. A service for Harold will be held on Friday, January 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Clock Chapel in Muskegon with Rev. Eric Strattan officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. A time of visitation will take place on Thursday, January 18, from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Harold or sign the online guestbook.