Harvey Varns

Harvey Varns, age 85 of Spearfish, died Wednesday April 1, 2015 at his home in Spearfish, surrounded by his loving family following a long and hard fight against cancer. Services will be held 2pm Monday April 6, 2015 at Black Hills National Cemetery, Colonel Chaplain David Peterson officiating. Visitation will be held 3 to 5 pm Sunday, and 12 noon to 1pm Monday, at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Military Honors will be provided by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard. Harvey Dale Varns was born February 5, 1930 in Pipestone County, Minnesota. He was the son of Sanford and Gladys (Smith) Varns. At a young age, Harvey moved to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where he was raised by his maternal grandparents. At the age of 17 he entered the U.S. Army. For 22 years, he served his country. During this time he served 3 tours during the Korean War and one tour during the Vietnam War. He served his country with distinction and honor and he will continue his Tour of Duty in God’s Army with his Son Kenneth. In 1970, Harvey retired from the military. For ten years he worked as a milk truck delivery man for Brown Swiss, and following he worked for ten years at Leuder’s in Belle Fourche. Harvey will be missed and never forgotten. One of his favorite verses was 1 Peter 1:25. Harvey is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Virginia of Spearfish; 3 sons, Ronnie Varns of Gillette WY, Donald (Adriana) Varns of Wichita KS, Richard (Julie) Varns of Rossville IL; 4 daughters, Debbie (Monte) Colvin of Vermillion, Barbara (Doug) Hitzel of Auburn NE, Penny (Roy) Mixon of Houston TX, Virginia (Chuck) O’Brien of Lancaster CA; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kenny; brothers, Orville, Ronnie, and Lauren Nelson his half brother; and also is sister, Joanne.