Robert M. Harpestad

Robert M. Harpestad, of Devils Lake, formerly of the Hampden/Alsen area passed away early Wednesday morning, April 9, 2008 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake at the age of 82. Funeral Services for Robert will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Hampden will Rev. Robert Buechler officiating. Burial will be in the Loma Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Robert will his grandsons, Wade Harpestad, Craig Harpestad, Steven Simon and Brandon Harpestad and grandsons-in-law, Stuart Uhlenkamp and Justin Bubach. Honorary Bearers will be Robert’s Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren Music will be Congregational Hymns with Barb Lunde as organist. Robert Melvin was born on December 26, 1925 at Alsen, ND to Joachim and Emma (Ramsey) Horpestad. He attended school in Alsen and Hampden. He then farmed with his father and brother, Albert in the Alsen/Hampden area. On December 17, 1947, Robert was united in marriage to Dorothy Melland of Loma, ND. They established their home on a farm in the Hampden area and farmed there until 1973 when they retired from farming and moved into Hampden. While living in Hampden, Robert worked as a janitor at the Hampden School for 6 months. He then took a job at Hampden Oil Company as a bulk truck driver and worked there for 13 years. After retiring from Hampden Oil he worked on the farms of William and Lyle Woldmoe. Robert suffered a stroke on December 8, 1998 and in May of 1999 became a resident of Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Robert was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church in Loma and after moving to Hampden became a member of Faith Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows, Sons of Norway and the Hampden Commercial Club. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Dorothy of Hampden Children: Robert Harpestad Jr. of Edmore Linda Simon and husband, Bruce of Starkweather Sheila Robertsdahl and her husband, Mark of Fargo Rick Harpestad and his wife, Naomi of Mayville Tamara Clemetson and her husband, Rick of Park River Twelve Grandchildren: Wade, Lisa, Craig and Andrea; Stephanie and Steven; April and Kyle; Brandon, Timothy and Drew; Courtney Eleven Great Grandchildren: Jadyn, Payton, James, Desiree, Kylie, Chloe, Kenna, Brogan, Karsen, Parker and Ava. Brother: Joe Horpestad and his wife, Faye of Des Moines, Iowa Sisters: Esther Dahl, Seattle, Washington Gladys Martinson, Devils Lake Mavis Nelson and her husband, Roger of Park River Marion Hoffart and her husband, Dennis of Grand Forks Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Elmer Horpestad and Albert Horpestad and sisters, Myrtle Klein, Rosine Klein and Julia Netland. Friends may sign the online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com