STERLING — Harold William Julifs, 89, of Sterling, died Sunday, August 25, 2024, at CGH Medical Center after a short illness.

He was born October 18, 1934, in Pocahontas, IA, the son of Claus and Hannah (Aden) Julifs. He married Sandra Walters on July 22, 1961, in Scarsdale, NY. Harold graduated from Adams, MN, high school in 1953 and received his BS in Agriculture Education from South Dakota State University, in 1957. He served in the USMC from 1957 to 1959 and worked at the Brown County Farm Bureau Service Co., in Sleepy Eye, MN for 2 years after his discharge. He started a 29-year career at Del Monte Corporation in 1961. He served as a fieldman, field supervisor, assistant plant superintendent, plant superintendent, and area manager at operations in Sleepy Eye, Stevens Point, WI, and Rochelle. He retired from Del Monte in June 1990. He did not stay retired for long as he worked part-time for Tri-County Opportunities Council in Rock Falls, IL, and as a p art-time instructor at Sauk Valley Community College.

Harold was active in many service organizations. He was a long-time Rotarian in Sterling and Rochelle where he was a past president. He was on the Sterling Rock Falls Child Care board of directors (past president). He was a member of the Rochelle Streets and Roads Advisory Commission. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sterling serving as a church council member, president, and treasurer. He was active in Via De Cristo and was a member of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod Stewardship Subcommittee and Congregational Life Committee. He was also a past president of the PADS board.

Harold is survived by his wife, Sandra Julifs of Sterling; two sons David (Roxann) Julifs of Torrance, CA, and Steven (Kimberly) Julifs of Shorewood; four granddaughters, Heather (Justin) McCarthy of Beaverton, OR, Holly Julifs of Winston-Salem, NC, Danielle Julifs of Portland,OR, and Rebecca Julifs, of Rochester, NY; two great-grandchildren, Peyton McCarthy and Reece McCarthy; a sister, Jean McClure of Arvada, CO; two sisters-in-law, Debra Julifs of Rochelle, and Patricia Roos of Salisbury, NC; two nieces Julia Roos of Shelby, NC, and Robin (Gregg) Gilkey; and one nephew, Warren (Jenni) Roos of Independence, OH.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Dean Julifs, Don Julifs, and infant Gordon; his infant daughter Kathryn Margrete; and two brothers-in-law, Clifford McClure and James Roos.

Visitation will be held from 12:00-1:00pm on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sterling. Funeral service will begin at 1:00pm. Burial will conclude at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sterling Rock Falls Child Care, or Tri-County Opportunities Council. 

Online condolences may be made at www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com