Harlan Ray Haroldson, age 80, of Fosston, MN passed peacefully into the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Bemidji, MN. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5th, at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Mark Richardson officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Free Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Spring Lake V.F.W. Post #2759 of Lengby and the U.S. Marine Honor Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Harlan was born January 12, 1946, in Northwood, ND to parents Ole Gene and Frances Thelma (Vigen) Haroldson. Harlan graduated from East Grand Forks High School.

Harlan entered the United States Marine Corp on November 16, 1965 and served in Vietnam. While in the service, he received the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/device, and Vietnamese Service Medal w/2*. He was honorably discharged on November 15, 1967.

Harlan met Sandra Renae Hager in Crookston, MN. They were married on June 21, 1969 at Seljord Church, Clearbrook, MN. They moved to Grand Forks, ND, where Harlan worked at Bell Telephone Company. They later moved to Fosston, MN, where Harlan worked in carpentry, and they raised their three daughters, Christy, Callie, and Caese.

He was a man of many talents, including his musical talent, stonework, and in more recent years, wood carving, which he learned from his friend, Sheldon Matson.

Harlan was a very patient man, never raising his voice to his family or others. Though Harlan was quite stoic, those who knew him best were able to witness the side of him that could crack a joke you didn’t see coming. Even on his last day on this earth, Harlan’s sense of humor was on full display as he cracked jokes from his hospital bed.

He enjoyed music from a young age and was active in a band in high school, as well as playing with the band 4 Wheel Drive for many years. Harlan had a very strong faith and used his musical gifts to praise his Savior. He played in the praise team at Calvary Free Lutheran Church for many years. For a short time, he played in a trio with Greg Bruce and David Landsverk, which they called “Three Fools on Stools”.

Harlan had a servant’s heart and loved to use his skills to serve his family and his church family, as well as others in the community. He loved his family with all his heart, and his biggest desire was that they would all have a saving faith in Jesus.

Harlan was proceeded in death by his parents, Ole Gene Haroldson and Frances Thelma (Vigen) Haroldson, sisters Barbara (Keith) Hanson and Janet Johnson, brothers Ronnie Haroldson and Larry Haroldson, brothers-in-law Lyle Geiselhart and Keith Hanson, daughters Christy Wennerstrand and Calline (Jamie) Lamkin, niece Cresta Strub, and nephews Josh Williams and Lyle Dean Geiselhart.

Harlan is survived by wife, Sandy Haroldson of Fosston, daughter Caese Haroldson of Fosston, grandsons Jacob Wennerstrand, Chad Wennerstrand, Mason Lamkin, Ashton Lamkin, granddaughter Eden (Cameron) Durden, great grandson Almon Durden, sons-in-law Harold Wennerstrand and Jamie Lamkin, as well as several nieces and nephews.