Orris M Hareldson

The funeral service for Orris M. Hareldson, 89, of rural Stewartville, MN will be at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday (August 11, 2021) at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, MN with Rev. Susan Li officiating.  Mr. Hareldson died on Thursday (August 5, 2021) of natural causes at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Orris Milford Hareldson was born on August 25, 1931 in Lanesboro, MN to Ole and Theressa (Helland) Hareldson.  He grew up on the family farm, attended country and Lanesboro schools, graduating from Lanesboro HS in 1949.  Orris was married on September 13, 1952 in Hesper, IA to Lucille E. Aasum.  Following their marriage Orris worked on a turkey farm and then as a rural can milk hauler.  The couple purchased the Hareldson Family farmstead in rural Lanesboro and continued to raise their 8 children.  During those years he farmed and was also employed by IBM in Rochester, MN from 1965 until his retirement in 1994.  The couple later divorced.  Orris was remarried to Ruth E. Thorson on June 14, 1991 in Cadott, WI.  They moved to rural Stewartville, where they have continued to make their home.  After retirement Orris went to truck driving school.  He worked driving truck for a number of places including the city of Rochester and Irlbeck Trucking in Grand Meadow, MN, well into his 70’s.  He was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, MN and currently of Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville, MN.  He was a member of the Eyota American Legion Post 551.  He and Ruth enjoyed fishing trips to Cass Lake and traveling to Arizona in the winter.  Orris’s hobbies were making apple cider, maple syrup, wine and he was known for his large potato garden, which he would share with friends and his church family for making lefse for fall fundraisers and dinners.  He was an avid woodworker, enjoyed rock hunting, cutting the rocks and making jewelry, and was a Vikings fan.  For many years, Orris enjoyed playing in the band, Casey and the Good Timers.  He loved visiting with friends and neighbors and time spent with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Orris is survived by his wife –Ruth;  8 daughters and  5 sons-Lorraine (Eric) Froyum of rural Zumbrota, MN; Linda Peterson of Shalimar, FL; Diane Hareldson (Raymond Reese) of Preston, MN; Cheryl Kelly of Lompoc CA; Gary (Sherry) Hareldson of Rochester, MN; Judy (James) Dugan of Austin, MN; Roger Hareldson (Trish Shields) of Oronoco, MN; Donna (Jim) Fry of rural Grand Meadow, MN; Gary (Judy) Thorson of Byron, MN; Mark Thorson of Dexter, MN; Darwin Thorson (Pam Sullivan) of Rochester, MN; Teresa (Dan) Galvin of Marion, IA; and Brenda (Charles) Thompson of Zumbrota, MN; 36 Grandchildren;   40 Great Grandchildren;   3 sisters and 1 brother; Joan (John) Bradt - Sime of Chatfield, MN; Richard (Susan) Hareldson of Oronoco, MN;  Lois (Carroll) Danielson of Harmony, MN; Verna Quandahl (Rick Staggemeyer) of Spring Grove, MN and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters; Lyla Starks, Norma Hareldson, teenage sister Gladys, brother, Herbert Hareldson, grand-daughter Emily Hareldson and great-grandson Liam Peterson.

Ruth and family would like to thank everyone at Seasons Hospice for their loving care of Orris and personal care-givers: Kaylee Smidt, Sara Bertschinger, Teresa Scripture and also the many family members that helped with his care.

A time of visitation for family and friends is 11:00  AM to 1:00PM on the day of the service.  Service is 1:00PM Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church, Stewartville, MN.  A private family burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville at a later date.  A live stream of Orris’s service is available on Zion Lutheran’s website after 12:30 PM on Wednesday (8/11).  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville, MN.  Condolences and memories of Orris are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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