A Wonderful Life

Norman Victor Haroldsen

March 18, 1928 –  May 12, 2008

 

A Wonderful Life

 

Norman Victor Haroldsen, born Sunday morning March 18, 1928.  His mother told him that if he’d be born 10 ½ hours earlier, she would have named him Patrick in honor of St. Patrick’s day.

 

His parents, George and Kate’s family, appeared complete before Norman came along.  A family picture seems to confirm that idea.  But then Norman and his 18 month younger sister appeared as two trailing cabooses to George and Kate’s family. 

 

Relatives were perplexed at where all his black hair came from.  It disappeared as mysteriously as it came, and by the time he was two, Norman was as blonde as blonde could be.

 

With His little, almost twin sister, Norman’s enthusiasm for experiencing life got him into his share of childhood trouble.  One of many examples, that could be cited, was when their mother was canning grape jelly.  Norman and Helen were trying to be so helpful that Kate put their names each on a quart bottle of jelly, saying “This one is yours Norman, and this one is yours Leone.”  Three months later, neither Norman nor Helen saw a problem with going down into the basement to open their bottles of jelly.  The first few spoonfuls were pretty tasty.  But before it was all over they didn’t know what ached more, their bellies or their rear ends.

 

Norman was experimental as a small boy.  One day, he stretched a rope across their cement walkway about 6 inches above the ground, not sure of what he’d catch.  He “caught” his big brother Ed, who was running to the house to get something he’d forgotten.  Ed’s fast moving foot caught the rope, his nose caught and plowed the cement walk, and Norman caught heck from Ed.

 

In telling of growing up on the farm, Norman said, “Our parents never took us anywhere.  And I literally mean that – never anywhere.  We never went to Idaho Falls or even to church.  We grew up during the great depression.  But we were never aware of being poor or deprived.  We never went hungry, but were never given any money by our parents.”

 

Norman tells of the tedious hours thinning beets or doing many of the other monotonous farm jobs as a child, but he also spoke of the fun times on the farm.  At night, after the farm work ceased for the day, Norman’s favorite activity was to go to the old swim hole.  He said “I was eight or ten – probably ten (years old) when my brother Ed taught me how to swim out there.”  Brothers and cousins all joined in – strictly “boys only” though.  (Dad told me that he never owned a swimsuit until he was 18 years old.)  They built a big bon fire near the swim hole, and when Norman got cold, he’d stand next to the fire.  He’d turn a little and stand some more, and then turn and stand some more, roasting like a hot dog on a stick.

 

Another favorite family activity was more complicated to prepare for.  Everything had to be timed perfectly.  I don’t know the exact order of things, but Norman’s dad, George did.  The first crop of hay cut, the rest of the planting completed.  Cows doctored, pigs castrated, all the crops irrigated, fences repaired, potatoes cultivated, hay hauled in from the field, and stacked with the hay derrick.  And the hay field watered for the second crop.  Corrals cleaned and calf stalls freshly bedded.  The list seemed that it would take all summer of day and night work to finish. 

 

Then finally Pa would declare everything was ready and Norman’s family would feverishly pack up and head for one of their favorite fishing streams for the next two or three days.  Norman’s dad, George, worked as hard at fishing as he did on the farm.  After a few days of R&R along a river bank up in Island Park or somewhere else, the family would beat it back to the farm where everyone was expected to work double-time to catch up on the farm work again. 

 

George’s strong work ethic rubbed off on to his son, Norman, even at a young age.  One of the daily chores that was identified as “Norman’s job to do” was to milk the cow in the morning.  Norman was always so anxious to get going in the morning that he would get up earlier and earlier to go out and get started.  When he was going out to start milking at 3:00 am, Norman’s mother, “Kate” finally put her foot down with the scold, “Norman, if you don’t quit getting up so early to milk the cow, I won’t let you do it any more.”

 

I, along with all of my siblings, can vouch for the fact that George’s son, Norman, retained this work ethic to pass along to the next generation.

 

Even though Norman’s childhood home was less than five miles from the Idaho Falls City limits, this rural area, St. Leon, operated its own school.  Back in the 1930’s, St. Leon was a modern school with 2 rooms – grades 1-4 in one room, and grades 5-8 in the other.  With 4 rows in each class room, Dad said they just moved over 1 row each year.  Going from grade 4 to 5 was a big deal because you got to change rooms.    

 

Like Norman, most of the kids attending St. Leon were farmers who had chores to do after school.  No time for sports like the city kids played.  So when Norman graduated the 8th grade, in 1942, and began attending Idaho Falls High School, the last thing he and his buddy/ cousin Ray wanted was to be humiliated in the required PE classes.  But good the news was, they discovered they’d be exempt from PE if they were enrolled in High School Band.  So Norman’s high school band career was shining, with playing two different instruments as he participated in concert, pep, and marching band.  In his final high school year, Norman beat out popular Donna West as the bands business manager when she caught backlash for saying, “We can’t have the band run by a bunch of country boys from out in the sticks!”

 

While attending high school, Norman learned that many of the kids attended LDS Seminary, and he too was enrolled by the second year.  Ten years before Norman had been born, his dad had become embittered by an unchristian Christian, who was in a position of power.  So with the exception of being baptized at the age of ten, at the insistence of Norman’s mother, their Christianity was practiced at home instead of at church.

 

Norman loved attending the high school LDS Seminary.  It was the beginning of a life of associating with… and learning with… others, who likewise loved God and were inspired by the scriptures which teach of his love for them. 

 

After high school, Norman’s education continued as he pursued a bachelors’ degree in Agriculture.  In his Senior year of attending the University of Idaho, up in Moscow, Idaho, Norman and several of his buddies decided to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday exploring further up north instead of coming back down south to the family farm. 

 

An old high school buddy from Idaho Falls was serving as an LDS missionary in Vancouver, British Colombia.  When Norman and his college buddies met up with Elder Layton, he told Norman that he’d like to show him around town, but that there was a missionary farewell, which he was obligated to attend.  Norman and his buddies were game to go along and attend the chapel meeting, and even more game to attend the dance, which followed in the basement of the church building. 

 

Norman’s buddies watched in amazement as this otherwise reserved (if not down right shy) Idaho Farm Boy competed and ultimately won the attention of the most beautiful girl at the church dance.  Norman forgot all about his other friends as this beauty, Fay Tillack, introduced him to her family and then showed him around the city the next day.

 

Differences in background and distance didn’t separate the Canadian city girl from the Idaho farm boy for long.  The following summer, July 28, 1950, they were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

 

The first eight years of their married life became a defining time for Norman—Both vocationally and spiritually.  As three sons eventually joined their family, Norman and Fay remained active in church and involved in the family farm.   The stated plan was for Norman to begin to assume management of the farm while his dad, now in his late 60’s eased into retirement.  But working year after year with no pay and no say in any management decisions convinced Norman that he had no future on his childhood farm.  Also tragedy struck even more personally when Norman and Fay’s third son, 18 month old Gary Kent, suddenly became ill and died.

 

Those hard days brought two resolves that Norman kept.   He would never take his faith for granted (the faith that gave him hope that he would someday be where he knew his son’s spirit was).  So He resolved to remain faithful to his faith and to serve God wherever and whenever he could.

 

Norman also resolved to make a new career start—Here he did almost the impossible when, with no money to his name, he moved his family which now included a baby daughter to Rexburg where he developed his own small time egg farm into the thriving predecessor of today’s Agri-business.

 

Norman made those changes in his life, with his father George (still suffering from his own personal bitterness) accusing him, “All you care about is chickens and church.”    

         

Seven of us children grew up on our family egg farm.  This is where we learned from Dad to work and play “Haroldsen Style”.  We didn’t work at a feverish pitch, night and day, for 3 weeks before going fishing.  But none the less, our work load compressed and intensified on both ends anytime we took off for such things as celebrating Memorial Day or the 4th of July “Haroldsen Style”.

 

Growing up on this egg farm, working and playing beside Dad, is where we listened to his classical music and he endured our music.  It’s where we learned from his sense of humor and developed our own.  It’s where we learned that we can love life even when we are working hard. 

 

Norman’s normal workdays were always long.  Always starting before 5:00am, after 12-14 hour long work days, he would enjoy supper together with all of us as a family.   Then frequently Dad’s workday would continue with paper work in his office.  Often his personal time was spent curled up with a geography book- and finally dreaming about places he’d like to visit in the world, until a new day began.

 

He did travel widely – throughout the world – always out on his own – never as a part of a tour group.  He was always too impatient to wait around for the slow pace a tour guide would take.  

 

Dad’s people skills and sense of humor are legendary to everyone who really knows him.  He made the world his friend-one person at a time.  Examples of Dad’s sense of humor continued, even in his devastating illness, even when he was most miserable.  I’ll give examples that each of my three sisters have told.

 

Story #1

Last October Dad’s clothes didn’t fit very well because he had lost so much weight from his sickness.  Catherine told the rest of us siblings about it.

 

          “Just thought you all might want to know about Dad’s first trip back to church after nearly a year.  We get to park in the handicap parking.  We all get out and I stand on the sidewalk waiting for them to come around the other side.  I’m standing there looking at the people walking into the church when I hear Dad behind me saying, “I think I have a problem here”.  He said it pretty calmly so I just turn around to see what the problem was.  There was Dad, standing on the sidewalk with his pants down on the ground around his ankles.  It was quite a shocker to see that.  He had his suit coat on and looked fine from the waist up but his bare legs were just out there for all to see.  If the people walking into the church didn’t notice that on their own, they certainly did when Mom let out a shriek.  All heads turned and got the shock of their life.  I walked over and did my best to block my dear old Dad from the church gawkers while Mom bent over and tried to pull his pants back up.  She tucked his shirt in, scolded him for not cinching his belt tight enough and pleaded for us to all go home.  “We can’t go in there now!!” she cried.   They did go on into church…but afterward Mom and Catherine took Dad home where they made Moon Pie to celebrate his first trip back to church after being away so long.

 

Story #2

When she was caring for him, Laurie told of how utterly uncomfortable and in fact down right miserable Dad was.  He told Laurie to “just shoot me”.  Laurie pantomimed shooting him and he immediately dropped his head to the side with his tongue hanging out like she’d killed him.

 

 

Story #3

Linda said, “One day Mom and I were trying to re-shift Dad in the bed.  She stood on one side and I stood on the other.  Dad’s knees were bent up so I took a hold of one leg and mom took the other and we started to lift him up to shift him.  Dad opened his eyes and said, “make a wish”.

 

 All of these stories are classic Dad’s great sense of humor and positive attitude no matter what.

 

As I pondered a good analogy of my father, Norman’s life, the majestic Teton Mountains which have graced his landscape most of his life came to mind.  Regardless of temperature or tempest they stand firm.  My Dad’s testimony and faith in God is like that.  Even when hidden from the view of all by storm clouds, those Teton Mountains don’t waver or waffle.  My Dad’s character and nature were likewise unaffected by his storms of life.

 

The harsh conditions on the Teton’s leaves a beauty that cannot be created any other way.  It’s the same way in Dad’s life.   The trials in his life have molded his character with beauty that only the master’s hand could create.

 

Norman’s life long love of people, and his faith in the goodness of mankind, has endeared him to very many throughout his life… to almost all who know him now.  This expectation of the goodness of mankind… has become self fulfilling… as his goodness has rubbed off onto those he came into contact with.

 

Norman’s good friend expresses this so well in a card he wrote two weeks ago.  Darwin Wolford’s words (and scripture) sum up Dad’s life better than my words can express.  “Norman, you have always been a man I looked up to as a true Christian gentleman, unselfish, meek, without guile, and thoroughly righteous.  When I reach this point in my own life, I only hope that I will be as prepared to meet my Savior as you are.  I guess the suffering you experience is given to you as a means to refine the steel in your sweet soul even more.  I think Isaiah’s words are much better than mine:  “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver:  I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10)

 

Last summer, because of his long absence… because he was unable to attend church,  Norman’s friend and leader in his High Priest group, Jim Wilson, invited dad to share his life and testimony via audio recording.  These are Dad’s words from that recording of almost a year ago.

 

“I know that our prayers are always heard and answered.  I feel the Lord has a purpose yet for me in this life. When that is completed then I will be willing to return to him.”

 

Dad, I want to be like you.  As your faithful wife of over 57 years, as your children (all 8 of us – 7 of us mourning your loss… while I know our brother Gary rejoices in your company… as your many friends and neighbors… just as the Savior taught, everyone you came in contact seemed to be your neighbor… as everyone who’s life you have touched (have changed) we love you, we miss you, your life inspires us.  Good-bye … for a time.

25 thoughts on “A Wonderful Life”

  1.  
    Thank you for sharing your most moving story to date, Ron.
     
    Your writings in this Space are a true and steadfast tribute not only to your dad,
    but to the values and wisdom which he instilled in you
    and which shine forth from everything you have ever offered here.
    Norman Victor Haroldsen must surely be proud of you.
    Thinking of you and your family,
    Marge
     

  2. Hi Ron,
    I am so sorry for the loss of your dad.  Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute about his life and the kind of man he was. 
    Peace…

  3. Ron,
    I’m so sorry for your loss. I rejoice with you in the celebration of your Dad’s life! Our hope is our strength and ever present comfort.
    j

  4. Hi Ron, What a lovely tribute! He certainly was a beautiful man and you were lucky to have him.
    Hugs
    Sherry

  5. Hi Ron…It must have been a tough trip to make but glad you made it safely and that all your family were able to go with you.  This was indeed a lovely tribute to a man you were lucky to call your dad. 
    Hugs,
    Linda

  6. I like how you ended the blog…with the truth for those who believe.." goodbye…for a time."
     
    I am truly sorry for your loss.  Having been through it, I know the pain. God bless you and the family.

  7. Ron, What a touching tribute to your father.  I’m sure you are the person you are, because of such a fine example.  I hope you know that my condolances are extended to you and your family.  May the Lord bless you as you miss the presence of your father.  Call me any time you want to talk.  🙂 Kent

  8. Oh, Ron, that was beautiful. He certainly sounds like a wonderful man and will surely be missed by you and so many others. I came by to wish you a happy birthday! I’m sure you will be giving Vallerie some tlc for her cold even though it’s "your day".

  9. Happy Birthday Ron.  You didn’t answer your phone, so I hope you get this before the day is over.
    Cheers!

  10.      I am so sorry for you loss.  He will be remembered well through your stories of your life and his.  He was lucky to have you as a son and you were lucky to have him for a Dad. 
         Thank you for sharing.
    God Bless and be with you. 

  11. Hi Ron,
    Hope you had a Happy Birthday!  Today is my brother Bruce’s birthday and tomorrow is Dave’s birthday.
    Thanks for stopping by and Praise God for answered prayers!

  12. Hi Ron…. Just wondering how you were doing.  Last I saw you, you were down in the front lawn messing with a sprinkler system!? 
    Hugs,
    Linda

  13. I am sorry for your loss. He was my mothers cousin and I will pass on the information to her.
    I have recently scanned a photo album of my grandmother’s, Eva Haroldsen (your grandpa George’s sister). I believe it covers about 1915-1920. Very few of the pictures are identified though I recognize some of the brothers and sisters from later pictures. I need help identifying as many as I can. I also want to share this wonderful find with as many Haroldsen descendants as I can and I hope you would be able to help me do that.
    Cousin Cate.

  14. There are two parts in your blog impressed me most:
    One is about your Dad’s work on milking the cow and the other is the first meeting of your parent.
    I felt the power of persistance,optimism , confidence and creativity from your Dad .
    Sometimes I find you are like your father .
     
     
     
    Hey,how are you ?
    I am OK ,just change a comapany and start a new stage of my career.
    May all go well with you and your family.
     
    Take care : )

  15. Ron, Late as usual in telling you how sorry I am that you are missing your dad…One of the best and most compelling evidences of our eternal nature is the greatness of the human spirit.  As I read your tribute to your father, and a life of work and hardship, a life of love and caring, a life of teaching and learning…I realized that some people miss the blessings of struggle.  Have you ever noticed how many people seem to float thru life, while others seem to be paddling furiously from birth to their very last breath here on earth.  Some seem to relish the task…while others are wishing for for repose.  Repose comes to quickly for those who love the adventure of each new day…of each new oportunity…of each new encounter with those they love.  There is no better compliment to someone like that than to have been their apprentice and learned many of their most important lessons…I think there are no words you could have written that would express the goodness of that man, nearly as well as the man who wrote the words.  YOU are from all acounts a marvelous reflection of the good he embraced.  So for BOTH tributes..your words and their author… I am sure he is smiling.

  16.  
    There is a big empty place in Spaces, Ron;
    it developed a short time after you went M.I.A.
    Are you okay? I’m not worried; just a little concerned.
    Hope you’ll have time to post even a short update here.
     
    In a way, you have family here, too, and you are missed.
    Come back soon?
     
    Marge

  17.  
    Just stopping by to let you know you’re not forgotten…
    I hope life is treating you and your family kindly.
    Hope to read an update soon.
    As ever,
    Marge

  18. Hi Ron,
    Just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers as you embark on a new direction of your career.  You are so blessed and I wish you the best in your career opportunities.

  19. Kind of made me think about all the Haroldsens and other family before you who set off into some unknowns.  With your faith and the strong stock you come from, the skies the limit!

  20.  
    Hi, Ron…
    There’s a very quiet, empty hole in Spaces where you used to be; will you return when you have time and let us know how life is treating you?
    I hope sadness and loss have given way to peace and acceptance and that you’re moving forward toward whatever destiny awaits you.
    I remain, as ever,
    Your friend,
    Marge
     

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