Harfred M. Johanson

Harfred M. Johanson, 92 of Devils Lake and Webster, ND died on August 13, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Harfred will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Rev. Dale Pederson will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, August 17th from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. followed by a time of sharing and remembrance. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Casket Bearers for Harfred will be all of his grandchildren, Troy, Steven, Brian and Eric Johanson, Kiel and Robin Stieglitz, Kristin Thiel, Chaun and Sara Klemetsrud. Music will be provided by Colby Barstad, soloist and Brenda Swenseth, pianist. Harfred, son of Hans C. and Petra (Hartvickson) Johanson was born April 28, 1917 at Wolford, ND. He grew up and was educated in the Wolford and was baptized and confirmed at the Wolford Lutheran Church. In the late 1930’s the family moved to a farm near Maddock and Harfred and his brother, Walter started delivering coal from the Velva mines to various businesses and homes. In the early 1940’s, the family moved to Degroat Township where he farmed with his father until 1944. Harfred was a self-educated man whose first love was always and forever the land he grew up on and the land he was able to call his own. Harfred was united in marriage to Alice Nord on June 21, 1944 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. They established their home in the Webster area. Harfred dedicated his life to providing for his family as he, Alice and the children worked side by side farming and raising all types of livestock. Harfred was a true steward of the land and was “organic farming” before anyone really knew what that meant. Harfred never officially retired from farming but eventually he and Alice would spend the winter months living in Devils Lake and turning the farming operation over to their son, Lyle. Harfred was a life member of the Eagles and Elks Lodges and a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church. When farming wasn’t occupying all of his time, Harfred enjoyed ice fishing, dancing and playing cards. But anytime of the year, Harfred enjoyed socializing, a good conversation and a cup of coffee with neighbors, friends and even strangers. Harfred’s true loves were faith, family and farming. He will be truly missed and forever in our hearts. Harfred is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Alice Children: Lyle Johanson and his wife Norma of Webster, ND~Bette and her husband Robert Stieglitz of Fargo and Donna and her husband Karl “Riley” Klemetsrud of Hastings, MN; Nine Grandchildren: Troy Johanson, Steve (Sharon) Johanson, Brian (Lori) Johanson and Eric Johanson; Kristin (Alex) Thiel, Kiel Stieglitz and Robin Stieglitz; Chaun Klemetsrud and Sara Klemetsrud; Seven Great Grandchildren: Jessica and Brianna Johanson and their mother, Michelle Johanson; Riley Johanson; Brandon Thomas, Jacob Johanson and Mikara Johanson; Conrad Thiel; Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Walter Johanson; sisters, Hjordis Scheets, Agnes Glass, Ruth Stein, Lorna Ellefson and Mildred Johanson at age 4.