1927
Harlan
2011
Harlan Medalen
December 5, 1927 — December 10, 2011
Funeral services for Harlan Medalen of Starbuck will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck. Reverend Paul Johnson will be officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck and for one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be in Fron Lutheran Cemetery, rural Starbuck.
Harlan Clinton Medalen, son of Peder and Elisa (Peterson) Medalen, was born December 5, 1927 in Gilchrist Township in Pope County, Minnesota. Harlan was baptized and later confirmed on July 5, 1942 at West Lake Johanna Church. Harlan began his education in Gilchrist Township at a local country school and later attended the public school in Glenwood, MN. On August 12, 1948, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Rorvig in Cyrus, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Starbuck, where Harlan worked several years for Elmer Erickson as a carpenter. He later went to work as a mechanic at Star Motors in Starbuck, and in 1977 he purchased the business and continued running it until 2007, when he retired. Harlan and Phyllis have continued to live in Starbuck since that time.
Harlan was a member of Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck; Starbuck Fire Department where he served as Fire Chief; Starbuck Chamber of Commerce; Starbuck City Council and D.A.T.A. He enjoyed snowmobiling, taking part in car races, watching Twins Baseball, playing cards, working with anything that had a motor, bowling, fishing and telling jokes.
Harlan died on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, MN. He lived to reach the age of 84 years.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Medalen of Starbuck; daughter, Karen (Todd) Johnshoy of Starbuck; grandson, Cory Johnshoy of Starbuck; sisters-in-law: Adelaine Berg of Starbuck, Maxine Hohn of Farwell and Donna (Irving) Dewey of Fergus Falls and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son; brothers-in-law: Milton Rorvig, Norval Rorvig, Lester Hohn, Raymond Beiswanger, Ken Norlien and Leander Berg and sisters-in-law: Doris Norlien, Jean Rorvig and Pearl Rorvig.
Harlan Clinton Medalen, son of Peder and Elisa (Peterson) Medalen, was born December 5, 1927 in Gilchrist Township in Pope County, Minnesota. Harlan was baptized and later confirmed on July 5, 1942 at West Lake Johanna Church. Harlan began his education in Gilchrist Township at a local country school and later attended the public school in Glenwood, MN. On August 12, 1948, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Rorvig in Cyrus, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Starbuck, where Harlan worked several years for Elmer Erickson as a carpenter. He later went to work as a mechanic at Star Motors in Starbuck, and in 1977 he purchased the business and continued running it until 2007, when he retired. Harlan and Phyllis have continued to live in Starbuck since that time.
Harlan was a member of Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck; Starbuck Fire Department where he served as Fire Chief; Starbuck Chamber of Commerce; Starbuck City Council and D.A.T.A. He enjoyed snowmobiling, taking part in car races, watching Twins Baseball, playing cards, working with anything that had a motor, bowling, fishing and telling jokes.
Harlan died on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, MN. He lived to reach the age of 84 years.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Medalen of Starbuck; daughter, Karen (Todd) Johnshoy of Starbuck; grandson, Cory Johnshoy of Starbuck; sisters-in-law: Adelaine Berg of Starbuck, Maxine Hohn of Farwell and Donna (Irving) Dewey of Fergus Falls and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son; brothers-in-law: Milton Rorvig, Norval Rorvig, Lester Hohn, Raymond Beiswanger, Ken Norlien and Leander Berg and sisters-in-law: Doris Norlien, Jean Rorvig and Pearl Rorvig.
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