RAPID CITY--Harold L. Flaig, 82, died at his home on Thursday, September 11, 2008. Harold was born May 13, 1926 in Eureka, SD to David and Ida (Hirsch) Flaig. He was the eldest of seven children. As a young child, he moved with his family to Eaton, CO for a brief period and then settled in Isabel, SD. At the age of 12, Harold started working in the local grocery store while also attending grade school. As he progressed into high school, he became enamored by athletics, with basketball and football being his favorite sports. He played on the Isabel teams and graduated from high school in May 1945. The day following his graduation, Harold boarded a train to Ft. Snelling, MN where he joined the U S Army. He was assigned to an ordinance division and soon after, boarded a troop ship destined for Seoul, Korea. Harold served in Korea, Shanghai, China and Japan. After his service in Southeast Asia was completed, Harold was honorably discharged from the armed forces and returned to his native South Dakota. Shortly thereafter, Harold joined his cousin, Rudy Stradinger and enrolled at Yankton College in Yankton, SD. He graduated from college in 1950 with a degree in Economics. While attending college, Harold met the love of his life, Ruby Stekley from Geddes, SD. Harold first met Ruby on a short bus trip. Ruby offered to share an apple with him and thus began their lifelong friendship. Harold and Ruby were married on June 26, 1949 at the Congregational Church in Yankton. From Yankton, Harold and Ruby moved to Wagner, SD where Harold accepted a position with the G. F. Buche general merchandising company. After becoming the manager of Buches in Wagner, Harold decided a career change was in order. Harold and Ruby moved to Rapid City in 1957, where Harold joined his father and brother, Milton in the building construction business. The three started Flaig Construction, which remained in business for the next 32 years until Harolds retirement. Over the course of time, Flaig Construction built numerous homes, motels, rest homes and commercial buildings in Rapid City and western South Dakota. In 1986, Harold put his hammer away and retired to a wonderful life of camping and relaxing in the Black Hills and southern Arizona. From 1986 to 2006 Harold and Ruby enjoyed their winters in Apache Junction, AZ where they met many new friends and Harold enjoyed golfing, board games and relaxing. Harold was a life member of VFW Post 1273 in Rapid City. He was also a member of the Elks Fraternal organization for 36 years. Harold was a avid sports fan and loved to follow the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Colorado Avalanche. He was especially thrilled to attend Stanley Cup playoff games in Denver with his son, Jerry. Survivors include his wife, Ruby, Rapid City; a son, Jerry Flaig and his special friend Erika May, Littleton, CO; a daughter, Julie Bertsch and her husband Steven, Piedmont; 4 grandchildren, Merissa and her husband, David Alink, Rapid City, Miranda, Kyle, and Jenny of Piedmont; a brother, Milton Flaig, Rapid City; 3 sisters, Vivian Dittmer, Longmont, CO, Gail Johnson, Island Park, ID and Donna Henschen, Baltimore, MD and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Flaig, Jr., a sister, Sylvia Bertsch and his parents, David and Ida. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. on Monday, September 15, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church with Rev. Rebecca Trefz and Pastor Ron McLaughlin officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273, will follow in Black Hills National Cemetery. Correspondence may be sent to 618 Sheridan Lake Rd. #223, Rapid City, SD 57702.