Harold M. Holte

Harold M. Holte, 96, of Grand Forks: ND died Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Harold M. Holte was born on December 24, 1922 in Voltaire, ND to Melvin and Ruth (Chilson) Holte. He grew up in Voltaire and graduated from high school in 1940. He attended college at Minot State and graduated from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. In 1942 he joined the Army and served during WWII until 1946; both in the United States and France.

On July 17, 1944 he married Vergil Nelson in Springfield, MO. They raised their 5 children and after 54 years of marriage Vergil passed away in 1998. He then married Dorothy Anderson on Sept 11, 1999. After 17 years Dorothy passed away in 2017.

Harold started his employment as a teacher in Harvey, ND from 1949-1953. He then moved on to become an extension agent from 1953 thru 1959 both in Dickey County and Grand Forks County. He then became Vice President and Ag Rep at First Bank (formerly Red River National) from 1959 retiring in 1980. Then on to become Vice President of Merchants Bank in Rugby, ND from 1980 until his retirement from there in 1988. At this time he and Vergil moved back to Grand Forks and he was a negotiator for ND Ag Mediation Services for Eastern North Dakota from 1989 retiring in 1998. At the age of 76 he finally fully retired and felt he should have continued working!

Harold enjoyed walking daily, dancing multiple times weekly, traveling and spending winters in Texas. Over the years Harold played clarinet in the Elks Band, Community Concert Bands in Harvey and Rugby, 9th District Legion Band, Rio Grande Valley Concert Band, UND Booster Band, Grand Forks City Band, and Second Wind Band. He also played piano, violin, and saxophone. He was a member of Lion's Club and treasurer there for 28 years, Elks Club, American Legion, VFW, Kiwanis Club and Sons of Norway. He volunteered at the Mission Texas Chamber of Commerce and was very active in SCORE in Grand Forks as well as other organizations. Harold liked to keep busy!

He is survived by his children, Russ (Becky), West Fargo; Carolyn (Raymond) Toppass, Frankfort,KY; and Janet (Dale) Kopecky, Crookston, MN; 9 grandchildren, Lisa Odden, Lori Holte, Mandi DeFay, Chad Holte, Josh Toppass, Jeremy Toppass, Kacie Schaefer, Karen Sjurseth and Anne Kopecky. 16 great-grandchildren, Hailey and Hunter Odden, Olivia, Jacob and Payton DeFay, Dylan and Kennedy Holte, Mallory and Elly Toppass, Cooper, Scarlett and Oliver Toppass, Amelia and Summit Sjurseth and Jaxon and Isabella Kopecky. Siblings, Delores Ust and Lois Irwin, Valley City; Marjorie Larson, Kenmare; and Audrey (Howard) Lahlum, Marion. Stepchildren, Greg (Sandy) Anderson, Andover, MN; Floyd Anderson, Larimore; Mark (Peggy) Anderson, Bismarck; Nancy (Bill) Faber, Tyler, TX; Donna (Norm) Koning, Hastings, MN; Jo Anderson, West Fargo; along with many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 25 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will continue the hour prior to the memorial service in the church.

Inurnment will be at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Grand Forks.