Harold J. Krizan

A private committal service for Harold J. Krizan, who died June 28, 2023, at the age of 89, in Peoria, AZ, was held Saturday, September 2, 2023, at his parents’ original farm site north of Colome, SD. The family of Joe, Marie, and baby son Harold moved from their first home to Winner, SD, after one year; they then relocated to Burke and finally to Gregory, where Joe became postmaster and the family made their home across the street from the city park. Hal graduated from Gregory High School in 1952, then attended the University of South Dakota for two years. He enlisted in the Army in 1954 and served in Japan. He then attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD, and graduated in 1960 with a degree in civil engineering. He later earned a master’s degree in public administration.

Hal married Winona (Nona) Evans, an RN, in 1960; and they moved to California, where they lived 29 years. They have one daughter, Kim, who became an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and college writing professor. Kim is married to Chip Mosher, a publisher of comic books.

Hal was first employed by the California Department of Transportation Bridge Department. He later worked for Orange County California advancing to the position of director of regulations, where he set the conditions of approval for subdivisions. Hal was the first director of harbors, beaches, parks and recreation in Orange County, a position he developed.

In their retirement, Hal and Nona lived in Haiti and on the Navajo Reservation, working in their hospitals for five years. They traveled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica, and visited as often as possible in Gregory and at his family’s homesite north of Colome. Hal and Nona retired to Prescott and Peoria, AZ.