Harmen Greenwood, 91, of Brookings, and formerly of the Bruce and Arlington areas, passed away on February 28, 2020, at the Brookings Hospital.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Brookings beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will take place following a time of fellowship after the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.  There will be two times of visitation: Wednesday, March 4, 2020, from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, and one hour prior to service on Thursday, March 5, 2020, from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Harmen Greenwood was born on April 1, 1928, in St. Anna Par, Holland in the Province of Friesland, the son of Gerrit and Pietje (Van Dijk) Greenwood.

Harmen attended elementary school and two years of college in Europe.  He came to the United States on August 23, 1947, sponsored by the Feikema family of Inwood, IA, to work on their farm.  He enlisted in the United States Army on October 3, 1950.  After his honorable discharge on September 16, 1952, Harmen then became a United States Citizen on July 24, 1953.

Harmen met Virginia Cotton while they both worked at Sears in Sioux Falls, SD.  They were married on July 23, 1955, at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls.  After their marriage they lived and worked in Sioux Falls for a period of time, then made their home in Brookings, SD in the early 1970's.

Starting in the early 1980's Harmen traveled to Holland to persuade Dutch dairy farmers to come to South Dakota.  Harmen was employed by UDIA in Chicago as State Manager.

Harmen and Virginia enjoyed traveling internationally to places such as Israel, Mexico, and Canada.  Throughout Harmen's career he volunteered for over 20 years to establish dairy cooperatives in under-developed countries and regions throughout Africa, eastern European countries, and Siberia.

Harmen and Virginia were known for their hospitality and friendship.  Notable was their 14-year partnership with Preston Christian Church hosting a regionally known Living Nativity at their farm.

Harmen and Virginia were members of Bethel Baptist Church in Brookings, were they served faithfully with their many friends.

Harmen is survived by one brother, Joe Greenwood, of St. Petersburg, Florida; a sister, Elizabeth McFall, of Citrus Heights, California; his nephew Mark, his wife Kim; his nephew Jon, Jon's wife Tamara, and their daughters Laurel and Rachel; children who "adopted" him as "grandpa"; and numerous friends and associates who knew him and loved him.

Harmen was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Greenwood, on November 29, 2011; his daughter, Denise Melinda Greenwood, on June 15, 2011; and a sister, Georgeann Wheat.  Harmen died peacefully on February 28, 2020 after a brief illness.  In his final week in the hospital he declared that he was ready and eager to meet his Lord and Maker.