Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271776
Title: Harold A. Rolfsrud
Date: 3/8/1937-9/23/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 3/8/1937
Summary: Harold Alvin Rolfsrud, 88, of Bismarck, ND, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on September 23, 2025. Funeral services were held September 30, 2025, at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City, ND, with Peder Stenslie and Minister Matthew Rolfson officiating. He was laid to rest at the Clear Creek Cemetery in Keene, ND. Harold was born on March 8, 1937, in Watford City, to Halvor and Martha (Braaten) Rolfsrud. He grew up on a farm in the Keene area, developing a lifelong love for farming, ranching and a deep appreciation for people and values working alongside his father. He was a proud graduate of Watford City High School and North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU), with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. On May 16, 1958, he married Marilyn Sorby at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN, beginning a devoted partnership and a life centered on family, faith, and service. Harold served his community with distinction as a McKenzie County Commissioner from 1985 to 2000. He also served on the Board of Directors for Baukol Noonan Lignite Inc. (now known as BNI), the New Town Farmer’s Union Elevator Board, and contributed his leadership and wisdom to numerous other boards and committees throughout his life. Harold was a member of the Clear Creek Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway. Harold cherished time with family and friends. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, traveling and visiting loved ones near and far. Harold was proud of his Norwegian heritage and never missed an opportunity to eat lutefisk. He had a great passion for playing cards and board games, especially bridge with his group at the Senior Center. He delighted in playing cornhole and other games with his great-grandchildren, creating memories they will always treasure. A lover of classic cars, Harold enjoyed giving rides in his Model T, Model A, and 1927 Buick. He also had a deep interest in family history and loved sharing stories of the past. Sports were another lifelong joy for Harold. As a kid he enjoyed playing baseball with his siblings, friends, and neighbors from the community at Blue Buttes Park. He loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and rarely missed watching the Minnesota Twins, the Vikings, or the Bison games. Harold will be remembered for his steady leadership, dedication to his family and community, and his deep roots in the land he loved. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, kindness, and service. Harold is survived by their five children, John (Nancy) Rolfsrud, of Keene, Douglas (Debbie) Rolfsrud, of Watford City, David (Gena) Rolfsrud, of Keene, Guy Rolfsrud, of Watford City, Kelli (Jiro) McCoy, of Fort Walton Beach, FL. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren, Laura McFarland, of Bismarck, ND, Trish (Jason) Bauman, of Bismarck, Meghan (Ryne) Hendrickson, of Mandan, ND, Kyle (Josie) Rolfsrud, of Gilbert, AZ, Morgan Rolfsrud, of Fargo, ND, Ty (Chauncee) Rolfsrud, of Keene, Cole (Savannah) Rolfsrud, of Keene, Josh (Katelyn) Rolfsrud, of Watford City, Brooke Rolfsrud, of Fountain Hills, AZ; eleven great-grandchildren, Brita, Tava, Cora, Stella, Wyatt, Colt, Hollyn, Halvor, Ava, Hallie, and Julia; sister, Karen (Don) Kirmis, of Austin, TX; brother, Arnold (Metha) Rolfsrud, of Gig Harbor, WA; brother-in-law, Matt Sorby, of Moorhead, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn Rolfsrud; his parents, Halvor and Martha Rolfsrud; his in-laws, Marvin and Margaret Sorby; his sister, Louise Haugen; his brother-in-law, Ken Haugen; his sister-in-law, Judy Sorby; and many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Red ID: FND_I_79271 Image ID: 537295 Image Notes: FND001 271776

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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