Harold "Hal" Chase

On January 22, 1933, in Lincoln Nebraska, Harold ‘Hal’ Chase was born Glenn Harold Chase Jr., the son of Glenn and Sadie Ann Chase and grandson of one of the early settlers of Pawnee City, Nebraska. Being in the heart of the great depression, the Chase family sold and bought businesses moving from Nebraska to Colorado to Kansas and settling on a farm in the Pawnee City area.

Harold attended a one-room school in Summerfield, KS.  He went on to attend Wentworth Military Academy before high school in Pawnee City. He was proficient at track, basketball, football and was even a Pawnee High cheerleader. In those days, everyone had nicknames at PHS and “High-pockets” Chase was likable and popular, if not just a little bit of a rabble-rouser.

Harold played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers – Tuba!, playing for the alumni marching band well into his 80s.  Harold was proud of being an alumni and wearing Husker red. After attaining his Education degree, Harold taught Voc-Ag at various rural Nebraska high schools.  He then transitioned into management with a farm organization and in his later years he worked for Walmart and owned/managed rental and agricultural properties.

Harold was married to Inge Chase, an artist, and they had four children: Bill, Chuck, Ivy and Holly.  Later, Katie was born to Harold and his second wife Rebecca. Soon after his first retirement, he married Phyllis Cisney and they traveled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica before Phyllis succumbed to cancer.   

Harold loved Jesus with all that was in him, loved his five children, 18 grand-children and 11 great-grandchildren.  Nightly, Harold would lift up his family, his friends, his church, his friend’s churches, and his families’ churches, and many others to God in prayer. Harold attended Living Life Reformed Church of Firth, NE and enjoyed the Friday Morning Men’s Bible Study and the Afterglow Bible Study. Harold was also passionate about communication and leadership. He was active in the Optimists Club, Toastmasters, VFW, American Legion and other civic organizations.

Harold loved music, loved to read, loved to dance, loved to travel, loved good food, and loved to love. When not dancing at the Pla-Mor Ballroom or at a UNL Faculty Dance, you could find him working, talking, or playing cards with friends.

Family members who might have joyfully greeted Harold in Heaven include his father and mother, sisters Marjorie Harvey and Eva Colnic, wife Phyllis Chase and son Bill. Among those anxiously awaiting to sup with him once again are son, Chuck (Brenda) Chase and daughters Ivy (Curt) Lovegren, Holly (Mike) Carr and Katie Vanzago.

Funeral Services 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Living Life Reformed Church, 6023 Russell Street, Firth, Nebraska.  Officiating Pastor Mark Starr.  A reception will follow at the church.

Visitation on Monday, August 30, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m., at Living Life Reformed Church, Firth, Nebraska.

Interment at the Pawnee City Cemetery,  Pawnee City, Nebraska at 3:45 p.m. 

Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

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