"Papa,
I've been thinking about all those thunderstorms when I was a kid and so scared. I would listen to the radio and hear the sound of your voice, knowing that everything was going to be okay because Papa was watching. I'll miss hearing your voice to reassure that everything will be okay, but I know that you will still be watching and taking care of all of us. I love you Papa. "
In loving memory of
Wayne W. Haroldson
August 20, 1927 - October 14, 2008
Wayne Walter Haroldson was born on August 20, 1927, in Freeborn County, Minnesota to the late Esther Mae (Nagel) and Walter Gerhard Haroldson. He received his early education in country school in rural Glenville, Minnesota and later attended and graduated in 1946 from Emmons, Minnesota. Wayne then entered the United States Navy during World War II in May of 1945. He served on the USS Hyman 732 until his honorable discharge in August of 1946. Wayne then attended industrial training for refrigeration in Chicago for a year.
On May 29, 1948, Wayne was united in marriage to Gladys T. Odegaard at the Silver Lake Lutheran Church in Worth County, Iowa. In 1958, Wayne and Gladys moved to Windom where Wayne worked at Caldwell Packing for sixteen years. He then became a traveling refrigeration salesman until his retirement in 1993. In 1972, Wayne was the "founding father" of Skywarn (a group of county weather watchers) and continued with it until his death.
For sometime, Wayne had been experiencing declining health and was hospitalized at the Windom Area Hospital on October 12th and passed away there, with his family at his bedside, on Tuesday, October 14th at the age of 81 years~having lived to celebrate 60 years of marriage.
Wayne was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 206 in Windom. Wayne will be remembered for his love of weather and for being a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather.
Wayne's grateful family includes his wife of sixty-years, Gladys Haroldson of Windom; four children, Diane Carlson of Windom; Steve Haroldson of Worthington; Susan Schmidt and husband, Gary, of Plainfield, IL; Mary Borsgard of Windom; 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ronald Haroldson and wife, JoAnn, of Grand Rapids; Keith Severson and wife, Pat, of Tower; Larry Severson of Waseca; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Allen Haroldson; and two sisters in infancy.
Tributes
"Gladys and Family, I am sorry to hear of Waynes untimely passing. My families deepest thoughts and prayers are with you all as you grieve and move on with your lives. God Bless you all"
"Grandpa,
I'll miss those calls to fix your computer or to find some cables or parts for you. Looking back, I think we had a unique relationship for a grandfather/grandson. I wish I had figured it out sooner to tell you how much I appreciated and enjoyed it. It's too bad I never realized how special it was until you were gone. I'll always cherish our time we had together and wish we could have had more. You were a very special person, respected and loved by many. It will be a glorious day when we can meet again. I love you Grandpa. "