Harley Lee Hardecopf was born June 29, 1921 on the family farm in northern Kossuth County, Iowa to Ernest and Kathryn (Wolf) Hardecopf. He was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Dolliver, Iowa. He attended school in Dolliver for 10 years.

In 1947, Harley was drafted into the Army and served 9 months in occupied Japan. He came to visit a friend from the service in Goodridge, Minnesota and met Joyce Heden. He always said, I came to visit Gust, but Joyce looked better . He proposed marriage and he and Joyce eloped. The marriage ceremony took place June 10, 1948 in Mankato, Minnesota.

Harley and Joyce made their home on a farm northeast of Highlanding, Minnesota. Their three oldest daughters were born while they lived there. They moved to Hibbing for a year where Harley worked for Enterprise Mine by Virginia, Minnesota. Their fourth daughter was born while they lived in Hibbing. They then moved back to the Goodridge area and in Harleys words, we farmed until we went broke . In 1956, Harley began working summers at the iron range as a mechanic in various mines. They moved to the Hibbing area once again in 1968 when the mines began running year round. Harley retired from the mines in 1983 after 27 years of service at the age of 62. Five years after retirement Harley and Joyce moved to Oklee, Minnesota.

Harley enjoyed wood working, fishing, traveling and working with pictures on the computer. He enjoyed his small airplane, which he crashed twice before giving it up. He owned one of the first personal computers available to the public. He loved all kinds of toys , both mechanical and technological. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Harley is survived by his wife, Joyce, Oklee, MN; four children, Linda (Tony) Kaml, Nashwauk, MN; Pat (Duane) Asselin, Oklee, MN, Pam (Bernard) Asselin, Oklee, MN, Karen (Richard) Denne, Keewatin, MN; 14 grandchildren, Clara Jo Kaml, Nashwauk, MN, Anthony (Keri) Kaml, Pengilly, MN, Andrew Kaml, Hibbing, MN, Christopher Kaml, Bemidji, MN, Penny (Darrin) Grove, Oklee, MN, Trudi (Wade) Bergerson, Thief River Falls, MN, LuAnn (Travis) Nelson, Thief River Falls, MN, Vicki Asselin, Oklee, MN, Melissa (Darrin) Mozinski, Grand Forks, ND, Matthew Asselin, US Air Force stationed in New Jersey, Shawn Asselin, Pengilly, MN, Jason (Carol) Denne, Detroit, MI, Jessica (Tony) Hanson, Hibbing, MN, Kathryn Denne, St. Cloud, MN; 10 great grandchildren, Katerina and Zachariah, Alesha and Brice, Treston and Danica and Dillan, Tyller, Morgan and Bazel; one brother, Bernie Hardecopf, Armstrong, IA and several, nieces and nephews.

Harley was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Julia and Lydia and his brothers, Albert and Clarence.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net