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Harley Nord, 90, of Rothsay
Published 10:11am Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Updated 12:15pm Wednesday, January 23, 2013Harley Nord, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
He was born on Dec. 23, 1922, in rural Rothsay, the son of George and Mabel (Shirley) Nord. Harley was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rothsay. He attended District 23 country school in Trondhjem Township in Otter Tail County. On June 3, 1943, Harley graduated from Rothsay High School.
On May 31, 1946, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea where he served as a Military Policeman. During his deployment in Korea he met up with his younger brother, Orville. Harley received the World War II Victory Medal.
On Dec. 30, 1950, he married Clarice Hazel Lerbakken at the Rothsay Parsonage. They were the parents of four children, Carol, Clayton, Pam and Dave. Harley and Clarice recently celebrated 62 years of marriage.
His first job was as a laborer on a farm. He also worked at the Farmers Oil Station and Farmers Elevator all in Rothsay. Harley managed three careers at once which included working for the city for 18 years while he served as deputy sheriff for Wilkin and Ottert Tail counties for 25 years and a Rothsay School bus driver which he retired from in 2005.
Harley also drove bus for Red River Trails in Moorhead.
His memberships included the VFW Post 612 in Fergus Falls, Rothsay Lions and Legion, Volunteer Fireman and New Life Lutheran Church.
His interests included gardening, old time music,especially polka, watching Lawrence Welk and the news, and taking pictures.
Harley was often said to have been too busy helping others to have other hobbies and would never refuse to help someone no matter the situation.
He recently took up watching Minnesota Twins baseball and was a regular at the Rothsay Café, stopping in twice a day to chat with the locals.
Harley stated in a newspaper article one of his most memorable moments on the job was being on the water tower and overlooking the city.
Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Mabel; three brothers, Harry, Orville and Arnold; and three sisters-in-law, Karolyn, Alyce and Delores.
Harley is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clarice of Rothsay; four children, Carol Dupree and Clayton (fiancé Teresa Harper) Nord of Fergus Falls, Pam (Lanny) Carlsrud of Fergus Falls and Dave Nord of Rothsay; six siblings, Gordon Nord of Seattle, Wash., Gilman (Helen) of Rothsay, Glen (Joyce) of Twin Cities, Melvin Nord and special friend Betty of Elizabeth, Clarice (Olaf) Nelson of Rothsay and Margaret (Bob) Rickman of St. Louis, Mo.; 11 grandchildren, Michelle (Bobby), Charlie, Chris, Eric (Nikki), Christa (Jarod), Larisa (TJ), Jeremy (Kari), Brooke (Shilo), Kellsey, Kendra and Lucas; six great-grandchildren, Asher, Ben, Kenadi, Grace, Thomas and Jaxon; a sister-in-law, Evangeline Nord; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a host of friends.
Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., at PioneerCare, and one hour prior to services at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Friday, at New Life Lutheran Church, Rothsay
Clergy: Rev. Paul Huso
Burial: Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Rothsay
Funeral Home: Faith and Hope Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Fergus Falls
Condolences may be sent online at www.faithhopefh.com
