Harland J. Onerheim

Harland J. Onerheim, 82 of Devils Lake, ND died on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Services for Harland will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Naomi Garber will officiate and burial will be in the Leeds Cemetery in the spring. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Monday at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Family requests casual dress for the visitation and funeral-come as you are. Serving as Casket Bearers for Harland will be Maynard Stensby, Loyd Pederson, Bert Steffan, Roy Kenner, Mike Loken and Gary Loken. Harland J. Onerheim, the oldest of 3 children, was born at Northwood, ND on June 6, 1926, the son of Selmer and Bertha (Hanson) Onerheim. He attended school in Brinsmade. He worked as a farm laborer on the Studness farms, rural Churchs Ferry until he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country during World War II. Harland was united in marriage to Deloris Oeffner on August 16, 1948 at Devils Lake, ND. They established their home at Churchs Ferry and later moved to Brinsmade where they lived, worked and raised their four children. Harland drove school bus for the Brinsmade/Leeds School District and later worked as the janitor at the Brinsmade School for several years. Harland did not stay idle when the school session ended each year; he spent those months painting houses and buildings with his sons. In 1972, the family moved to Devils Lake and Harland was very instrumental in the development of the Zeibach Pass Recreation Area near Devils Lake. He then worked at Lake Region Lutheran Home as head of maintenance until retiring in 1988. Harland had many hobbies and special interests including, Big Band music, playing pinochle and whist, fishing and playing pool. He enjoyed travel including Saipan in the Western Pacific, Hawaii and California where he was able to see his children and grandchildren, to just a quiet drive in the country, revisiting the places he used to live and where memories about days gone by were shared. Anyone who knew Harland knew of his great sense of humor and also his very kind and generous nature. He never said “no” to a person in need and always looked for ways in which he could be of help and service to others. And when children and grandchildren were the conversation, Harland expressed his pride in all their accomplishments and his love for each one of them. He treasured each visit shared with his family and dear friends. Harland is survived by his loving family. His children, James Onerheim and his wife, Sharon of Devils Lake; Daniel Onerheim and his wife, Nancy of Rock Rapids, Iowa; David Onerheim of Honolulu, Hawaii and Cynthia Hogue and her husband, Al of Mililani, Hawaii; Mother of their children: Deloris Kolstad, Mililani, Hawaii Seven Grandchildren: Jason Onerheim, Carrie (Joel) Wolf; Scott Onerheim; Corey Onerheim, Matthew Sablan, Kaela Onerheim; Brielle Hogue; Sister: Dolores Fisk and her husband, Merle of Mesa, Arizona Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Donald Onerheim.