Harlan Lee Crissey

Harlan Lee Crissey, son of Cletus and Hannah (Soenksen) Crissey, was born on June 2nd, 1938 in Storm Lake, Iowa. He attended Hayes Elementary and High school before enlisting in the U.S. Army from 1959-1963.
On December 7th, 1958, Harlan married Sharon Teter in Audubon, Iowa. To this union, five children were born: Kathryn, Nancy, Robert, Gerald, and David. Harlan and Sharon moved often due to his work and were married for 17 years before Harlan moved to South Dakota.
On June 2nd, 1979, Harlan married LaMay Eli on the Eli farm in rural Volin, SD. To this union, three children were born: Marlana, William, and Angelene. Just weeks before his passing, Harlan celebrated his 40-year wedding anniversary with his loving wife and family.
Harlan spent many years working for Christensen Brothers Construction (IA), Graves Construction (IA), Sweetman Construction (SD), and during the winter months in South Dakota he worked for his best friend John Hazen doing road grading, hauling gravel, and pushing snow around the Volin area. One of his most memorable experiences through his working career included the time he saved a young co-workers life in Iowa during the early 1970’s. He provided mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and closed heart massage after a young man came in contact with high voltage. From the brave act, he received a Life-Saving Award for volunteer and meritorious service from then Governor Robert Ray at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.
In 2000, Harlan went into retirement and enjoyed spending time out in his garden, out fishing with his family, and enjoying time with his grandchildren and great-grandkids. In 2007, Harlan came out of retirement to pull the levers on a crane one last time for the new Discovery Bridge Project in Yankton, SD. Not long after its completion, he fell into health issues and went on dialysis under the direction of Dr. Santos and the Avera McKennan Outpatient Dialysis Team in Sioux Falls, SD. Here he met many wonderful and caring nurses, physicians, and friends who enjoyed his Bee Gee’s singing, treats, and stories.
On June 27th, 2019, Harlan passed away unexpectedly at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls with his loving wife holding his hand. He was proceeded into death by his parents, Cletus and Hannah, two sisters: Sherron Skaggs and Sandra Voss, and a beloved brother Marlyn Crissey.
Among those who survive and who gratefully shared his life include: his wife LaMay Crissey of Volin, SD; two sisters: Patricia Young of Cameron, WI and Jacque Crissey-Geveshausen of Alcester, SD; eight children: Kathy Conger of Martinsburg, IA; Nancy (Pete) Steffen of Volin, SD; Bob (Sandra) Crissey of Bradenton, FL; Jerry Crissey of Bradenton, FL; Dave Crissey of Honolulu, HI; Marlana (Darren) Monroe of Centerville, SD; William (Stephanie) Crissey of Kansas City, MO; Angel (Pat) Yanelur of Onawa, IA; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.