Harold Joseph Kortum, age 79, of Custer, SD, passed away suddenly Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City.

Harold was born August 18, 1930, to Herman & Margaret (Terca) Kortum in Presho, SD, on the family farm. He graduated from Presho High School. He joined the US Marines and served in the Korean War.

In 1953, he married Jean Hohbach (Plankinton,SD), and farmed the Kortum family farm in Lyman County for many years. In 1975, he married Susan LaFurge (Pierre, SD), and together they moved to Custer, SD, in 1978. He retired in 2008 after serving as SD State Electric Inspector for 30 years in the Black Hills area and western SD.

Harold is survived by his wife, Susan of Custer; son, Douglas (Tammy) Kortum of Ft. Pierre, SD; daughters, Cynthia (Dan) Clark of Winner, SD; Denise (Steve) Winckler of Anderson, TX; Pamela Guidry of Pearland, TX; brother, Zane Kortum of Alexandria, VA; sisters, Twila (Howard) Fitzpatrick of Cawker City, KS; Betty Fernandez of Yucaipa, CA; eight grandchildren and l great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Margaret (Terca) Kortum.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2010 at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer, with Pastor Tom Opoien officiating.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.