Józef Zbigniew Harasim

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 1:22 pm

Józef Zbigniew Harasim died peacefully surrounded by family in his home in Decorah June 25, 2018. He was 70 years old. Mass of Christian Burial is at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 30, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Burial is in St. Benedict Cemetery. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 29, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Saturday beginning at 8 a.m., one hour before the service, St. Benedict Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Harasim; his five children: Monika (James) Harasim-Pieper of Kettering, Ohio, Wojtek (Jen) Harasim of Lakeville, Minn., Anna (Darren) Miller of Ishpeming, Mich., Ewa Harasim of Des Moines and Paul (Jenna) Harasim of Muscatine; his three grandchildren: Finn Harasim, Sofia Harasim and Isaiah Miller; his sister, Maria Bedziejewska; and his beloved extended family in Brazil and Poland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Romualda and Czeslaw Harasim; and his brother, Jan Harasim.

Józef was born Jan. 8, 1948, in Zamosc, Poland. After completing his studies at Basic Vocational School at Military Automotive Works, he worked as a welder in a steel factory, sparking his involvement in workers’ unions. He quickly established himself as a leader, fearlessly organizing multiple revolutionary groups that made up the Solidarity Movement (a democratic campaign against Communism), which led to his imprisonment for his noble political actions in 1981. The lives of Józef and his family continued to be threatened upon his release, so in 1983, Józef made the difficult decision to move himself and his family to the United States where they soon settled in Decorah as political refugees and were graciously sponsored by First Lutheran Church. He began work for Fred Carlson Co. where he continued as a heavy equipment operator for 28 years.

In his free time, Józef enjoyed coaching soccer, playing tennis, dancing polka, fishing and being outdoors. Those who knew him will miss his sentimental stories of Poland, his endless hospitality and his contagious charisma. Spending time with family filled him with pride, and most of all, he loved being Tata (Dad) to his children and Dziadzio (Grandpa) to his grandchildren.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.