Click Here to Watch Harley's Wake Service

Click Here to Watch Harley's Mass

     Harley V. Gage, 86, of Westport, SD, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2017, at his home.

     Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 11 North 2nd Avenue, Westport, with Father Mark Axtmann as celebrant.

     Burial, with military rites, will take place at the church cemetery at a later date.    

     Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary, followed by a liturgical wake service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before the Mass at church on Tuesday.

     Harley V. Gage was born on the family farm in Lincoln Township, Westport, SD, on January 19, 1931, to Clark and Florence (Morris) Gage.  He was raised on the farm and attended rural school.

     Harley was united in marriage to Eva Burckhard on April 11, 1953, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen.  Eleven days after their marriage, Harley entered the United States Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict.  After receiving his Honorable Discharge on April 23, 1955, he returned to the family farm.  

     Harley loved farming and made it his life-long career.  He took great pride in his farm and was widely known for his Hereford cattle.  In addition to running his own farm, Harley also worked with Crawford Farms hauling hay.

     Harley was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Westport, where he served on the church council.  He also served on the Lincoln Township Board, and was Road Supervisor, and also served on the Brown County Planning and Zoning Board, as well as being a 4-H Leader.  

     Harley was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada.  He also had fond memories of several big game hunting trips to Wyoming as well.  Harley also enjoyed bowling, attending Stock Car Races on Friday nights, dancing, and being a Square Dance caller.  He especially looked forward to Monday night “Monster Burgers” at the Aberdeen American Legion.  Harley will always be remembered as the neighborhood helper.  He had the talent and ability to fix anything and was always lending a helping hand to anyone in need.

     Blessed to have shared in Harley’s life is his wife of 64 years, Eva Gage of Westport; three children:  David Gage of Westport, Kathleen (Allan) Peck of Aberdeen and Christine (Charles) Stremick of Le Mars, IA; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Jance) Miller and Gage (Elizabeth) Hadden-Peck; and five great-grandchildren:  Hunter Miller, Conner Miller, Finn Hadden-Peck, Ilsa Hadden-Peck and Greta Hadden-Peck.

     Harley is preceded in death by one child in infancy, his parents, one brother, and one sister.