Harlan Ernest &8220;Bill&8221; Rideout, age 83, of Austin, died Tuesday morning, Sept. 12, 2006, at St. Mark&8217;s Lutheran Home.

He was born July 4, 1923, to Harry and Harriet (Mayes) Rideout in Ruthven, Palo Alto County, Iowa. The family moved to Minnesota where Bill grew up. He married Dorothy Louise Lewis on Jan. 1, 1943, in Albert Lea. He began working at Hormel Foods and took time off from 1945 to 1947 to serve his country in the Army, attaining the rank of Tech Fifth Grade.

After an honorable discharge, Bill returned to Hormel, where he worked in the box room. At the time of retirement, he had 42 years in. A member of VFW Post 1216 and American Legion 91, Bill moved to St. John&8217;s Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, where he resided until becoming a resident of St. Mark&8217;s in March of 2006.

Survivors include his sister, Virginia Thomas, sister-in-law, Barbara (Pat) Flaherty, and brother-in-law, Robert Lewis, all of Austin; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, on April 6, 1997; his parents; a brother, Robert; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin with

the Rev. Russell Wangen officiating. Friends called from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, with military honors by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216.