Harlan Ellenson

Harlan Ellenson, 90, died on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo, ND.

Harlan Ellsworth Ellenson was born October 21, 1927 at Perley, MN to Oscar and Anne (Regier) Ellenson. His early years were spent in Gardner, ND then rural Harwood. He attended Reid Township School through the 8th grade then helped his father farm until he entered the Air Force.  He met the “love of his life” Verna (Lyman) through his good friend Russel Olson who was Verna’s cousin. It was a long-distance courtship of love letters. They were married March 22, 1951. Since Harlan was in the Airforce they lived in Val Dosta, GA., Victorvill, CA. and Columbus, OH before returning to ND to raise their family of five children. They lived in West Fargo until 1969 when they moved to rural Harwood where they farmed.  He worked at Branick Manufacturing for 38 years along with farming. He retired in 1991 only to work again at Harvest States and continued to help farm.  He fulfilled his days faithfully going to morning coffee and spending his days with his wife at Rosewood.

In January 2015 he was no longer able to stay at home so he became a resident at Rosewood.

He is survived by his five children, Diane (Preston) Stephens, Minneapolis, MN, Cheryl (Allen) Grenz, Tower City, ND, Robert, West Fargo, Shelly (Gerald) Neisen, and Jacqueline (Ronald) Larson, all of Harwood; grandchildren, Penny (David) Goldeman, John (Shauna) Stephens, Robert (Dena) Stephens, Christopher (Mary) Stephens, Matthew Grenz, Ryan Grenz, Cody Grenz, Nicholas (Shannon) Neisen, Anne Neisen, Stephanie (James) Peterson, Gregory (Emily) Larson, and Jessica (Davis) Dube; 12 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. His siblings Donald (Ruth), Delores McMahan, Delene Lyman, David, Roger (Suzon).

Harlan was preceded in death by his wife, Verna, grandson Michael Neisen, brothers-in-law Richard McMahan, John Lyman, Everett Zorn, sisters-in-law Mae Zorn and Lillian Ellenson. 

Visitation: Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

Funeral Service: Friday, November 17, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo

Burial and Military Rites: Oakwood Cemetery, Harwood, ND at 1:45 PM

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com