Harlan A. Gjere, Sr., 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, January 30, 2025, at Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minn.
Harlan was born July 14, 1935, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Alvin and Hattie (Mestad) Gjere. The youngest of three sons, he worked with his parents and uncles to build the house and barn on the family farm where he grew up, south of Highlandville and yet north of Sattre, Iowa.
He graduated from the eighth grade at Pleasant Township #2 School. Due to his father’s illness, Harlan put his education on hold to work and build the farm.
On his 16th birthday in 1951, he said he met “a nice girl in Mabel who led him astray.” His “sweetie,” Dorothy Stortz, the love of his life, was his best friend and partner for 70-plus years. They dated while she attended nursing school and married September 22, 1955, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel, Minn.
Harlan and Dorothy continued to work the family farm after his father passed and his mother moved to town. They worked side by side growing their land to include three farms, all while raising eight children. Between milking cows and tending crops, Harlan also worked off the farm during the fall months for five years at Wapsie Produce in Decorah.
Always one to value education, Harlan returned to school and received his GED in 1976. Later he worked for several years at Vonderhoe in Waukon rebuilding alternators and starters. Following that he worked at North Winneshiek School for 10 years as custodian, again working side by side with Dorothy.
They moved to Mabel in 1992. Harlan continued working at North Winn School, but also began to work on small engine repairs in his garage.
Known for his humor and love of jokes, we will miss our favorite Norwegian. A gentle man who was kind to everyone and strong in his faith. Harlan’s comment to many things was, “It’s wonderful, I’ve had a wonderful life.”
Harlan is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Dorothy; his eight children: Harlan, Jr. (Roxanne), Steven (Denise), Cheryl (Brian), Linda (Blaine), Laurie, Brenda, Nancy, and Lavonne (Mike); 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and another on the way, sisters-in-law Marjorie Welscher and Nellie Kruse, brother-in-law Darrell (Sharon) Stortz, many special nieces and nephews and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Hattie, brothers Jerome (Clarice) and Maynard (Sandra); granddaughter Nicole, great-grandson Xavier, father- and mother in-law Henry and Bernadine (Gossman) Stortz, brothers- and sisters-in-law Joseph (Leona) Stortz, Mary Lucille Bahr, Harley Welscher, Erwin (Virginia) Stortz, Ron Kruse, and Lawrence (Gayle) Stortz.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Father Donald Hertges officiating. Burial will be in the St. Benedict Cemetery in Decorah.
Visitation will be 4–7 p.m., Friday, February 7 at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel and one hour prior to the service at the church in Decorah.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials payable to St. Croix Hospice, St. Benedict Catholic Church, St. Benedict Cemetery, St. Jude’s, St. Labre Indian School, Boys Town, or other charity.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Paul Wenner and staff at WinnMed, the caring people of Green Lea, and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care he received, and special thanks to Tonya.
The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
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