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Harlan D. Severson

April 22, 1933 ~ June 13, 2015

Harlan D. Severson, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died of cancer on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy surrounded by his loving family. Family and friends will gather to remember Harlan from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Services will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, on Thursday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. officiated by Pastor Randy Kasch, where Harlan was a member. A private interment will be held at a later date. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; daughters, Cathy (John) Siepman, Brenda (David) Ellingson, Shelly (Robert) Ehler, Sherry (Steve) Derby; son Craig (Chris) Severson; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Harlan was born April 22, 1933, in Berthold, North Dakota, the son of Francis and Mabel Severson. He married Joyce O. Novak on November 6, 1951, in Minot, North Dakota. Harlan worked in the meat business for 47 years. The different companies he worked at were: Piggly Wiggly (Minot and Bismark, North Dakota), Meijers (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Red Owl (Fargo, North Dakota), Nash Finch Company (Albert Lee, Minnesota, Fargo, North Dakota, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Barlow's and Randall's (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) until he retired. In retirement he worked part-time at Allen's Dealership for the service center as a shuttle driver. He cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. He will be greatly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Mabel Severson; and his brothers, John, Leon, Fred, and Richard. A very special thank you to Dr. Melanie Stahlberg for all the loving care she gave Harlan over the years, and the staff at the Hospice House of Mercy, especially nurses Cindy, Margaret, Megan, Penny and Joel for the care and compassion given to Harlan during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids.

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  1. Thinking of you as you grieve your loved one’s passing. May you celebrate his life and remember him with love in the days and weeks ahead. God bless you and comfort you. Love, Carlton and Muriel Holt
    Mansfield, Texas

  2. To all of you, our sympathies and hope that all the wonderful memories you have give you great joy in the time to come. Harlan was the patriarch of a wonderful family and friend to all who knew him.
    Joel and Ann Kessler

  3. Joyce, Sherry, Shelly and families;
    Hard to believe Harlan is gone. We always think our parents will be with us forever. I know he is in a better place and free of pain. I will miss him and will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Thank goodness you came clean about watering down his booze. I can see him laughing as I type. I will always remember the fun times we had hanging in the basement. God bless Harlan.

  4. Severson family. so sorry to see Harlan passed, we have been thinking of you. Our prayers are with you. We just got to the hospice house today with mom. God bless,

    Boe Family

  5. Enjoyed meeting Harlan in North Dakota. He with Nash Finch and I with Kellogg’s. We both moved to Cedar Rapids about the same time and reunited at the Gloria Dei Church. Know he is free of pain and we will meet again.

  6. Dear Joyce and family, words can not express the sorrow in my heart. I know all to well the feelings of loss and relief all at the same time. It is hard to see the suffering our loved ones have had to endure but to know his journey is done and he is now pain free is such a relief. He will always be a part of us and is now on the other side reunited with his birth family. We must make the best of what time we have and do good while we are able.

    With Love
    Darley K.

  7. Joyce & Family; We were so sorry to hear of Harley’s passing. He was a great guy and will certainly be missed by so many. We still bring out the “Family HIstory Book” that he composed and enjoy it. That is a very nice memory of him, and we thank him for that. Hugs to you and your family during this most difficult time. Prayers to you & yours – Pat & Jim Novak

  8. Cathy,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Please pass my condolences on to your entire family. I hadn’t talked to your dad in a long time but I have always had the greatest respect for him. He took great pride in his work and obviously passed that trait on to his children. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hi to John.

    Bill Bell

  9. To the entire Severson Family,
    You’ve been in our hearts and prayers this entire week even though we were unable to be with you. Our condolences in the loss of a dear man who always had a smile for everyone and a fresh baked treat to share! Love to all, LuAnn and Jeff

  10. As kid I was always at the Severson house. I have many found memories of Harlan. He was always working in the garden, doing work in the yard or grilling on the BBQ. The guy never sat down!! Thank you for all the great memories Harlan. You will be missed.
    Jack


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