Ervin J. Harlow

Ervin J. Harlow, 68 of Devils Lake formerly of Park River ND passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Eventide Devils Lake Care Center.

Ervin Jonas Harlow, son of Ernest A. and Irene M. (Peterson) Harlow was born on July 22, 1952 at Drayton, North Dakota.  He was reared in the Drayton area, attended Kindergarten at Drayton Public School, the family moved to Cavalier, ND where he attended Cavalier Public School.  Ervin graduated from Park River High School. Most of his school years his nickname was “Joey”.  He continued his education at the Walsh County Agricultural School and also attended Bottineau School of Forestry.  Ervin believed in serving his country and enlisted in the Army National Guard, but received a Medical Discharge soon after enlistment. 

Ervin was at one time married to Betty Ann Slaamod and they were the proud parents of a son Keith.

Ervin believed in hard work and to ALWAYS finish any task you start.  He worked at various jobs, but always a valued employee. He worked at the Forest River Bean Company, as a warehouse worker in several places in the Park River area, worked maintenance at the Park River Bible Camp for 10 years, and mowed area cemeteries, taking great pride in keep holy ground well-manicured.

Ervin loved the outdoors and he grew up loving the outdoors. He enjoyed trapping, especially beaver, he was part of the Park River track team, loved motorcycles, cars and collecting coins.  As a young man, he worked diligently to earn his Eagle Scout Award and he was one of the 4 Eagle Scouts in two generations of Harlow’s which is exceedingly rare. 

Ervin found love again and married Debbie Moe Goodman of Belcourt. She passed away several years ago.

Since 2013, Ervin has been a resident of the Good Samaritan Center and appreciated the love and care he received there.

Ervin is survived by his precious son Keith and his wife Melissa and their son, his grandson Derek Harlow of Devils Lake; siblings Rosemary Harlow, Bismarck ND, Gordon (Betty) Harlow, Fargo ND, Peter (Cindy) Harlow, Bloomington IN, Frank Harlow, Grand Forks ND; sister-in-law Karlene Harlow of Washington State and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Allen Harlow. 

Funeral Services for Ervin will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND with the Reverend Lori Broschat, Pastor of First United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will be at a later date in the Park River Memorial Park Cemetery.  The funeral service will be live-streamed through a family members facebook page. Call the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Monday for details.