Charles Harland

Charles Howard Harland, 85, of Fargo, ND passed away Saturday, January 21st peacefully in his sleep.

Charles was born July 6th, 1931 to Palmer and Annie (Thoreson) Harland of rural Nome, ND.  Charles was raised on the farm and attended a rural school near Nome.  After graduation, Charles moved to Minneapolis until he was drafted into the Army in 1952.  He served in the Korean War from 1953 to 1954.    After being discharged from the Army, Charles moved back to the family farm where he met a fiery red-head at a local street dance.  Charles married Clair Altringer from Valley City on his 24th birthday, July 6, 1955.  They had 5 children, 3 daughters and 2 sons.  They continued living on the farm for about 5 years before moving to Valley City.  He was employed by Lunde gas station, then General Trading.  In 1969 they moved to Jamestown where he worked for Sears as a salesman.  In 1972, they moved to Mapleton where he was employed with Nodak selling appliances for a couple years then went to work for Northern Engine.  He retired from there in 1994.  Charles lost his wife of 51 years in April of 2007 and a son in July of that same year.  This hit him hard.  He remained in Mapleton until 2008 then moved into a retirement community in Fargo.

Charles like being outdoors in his yard.  He loved to mow and help Clair with the garden. He took great pride in his yard and wanted it immaculate.   Some of his fondest memories were the grandkids out there “helping” him by riding in the wheelbarrow when he was hauling dirt.

Charles had a knack of “knowing” everyone.  It didn’t matter where you went, he would strike up a conversation with anybody and it never failed there was someone they mutually knew. 

One of his greatest pleasures was spending time with his brothers and sisters, he just loved to tease them until he got them going and would sit back and just laugh.  He was always pulling some prank on them.

Charles is survived by one son, Jeff of West Fargo, ND; three daughters, Cindy (Kevin) Odegaard of Mapleton, ND, Dawn (Kevin) Gustman of Fargo, ND, and Cherie (Bill Bartholomaus) Harland of Wheatland, ND; 1 brother Douglas (Peggy) Harland, Nome, ND; 2 sisters Karen (Charles) Pederson and Susan (Keith) Colville both of Valley City, ND.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  He was preceded in death by his wife, one son Scott Harland; one brother Jerry Harland, and 3 sisters Beverly (Howard) Kunze, Earlis (Bill) Hill, and Marilyn (Carl) Buttke; one grandson Justin Olson and one granddaughter Alicia Radke.

Funeral: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at 11 AM at the West Funeral Home Chapel, West Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior and reception to follow.

Burial: Herby Lutheran Cemetery, rural Argusville, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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